Press Release Date:
June 22, 2003
|| Archived August 25, 2003
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) today released 2002 crime statistics showing a decrease in statewide crime for the eighth consecutive year. Overall, Illinois’ crime rate was down 1.5% from 2001. Law enforcement agencies throughout the state reported that a total of 518,404 indexed crimes occurred last year compared with 526,475 the previous year.
In 2002, the total number of violent crimes deceased 1.3%. The offenses of murder and aggravated assault and battery each decreased 3.4%, while criminal sexual assault increased 5.8% and robbery rose 1.4%.
Statewide property crimes declined 1.6% last year. Motor vehicle theft dropped 7.9% and theft declined 1.6%. Reports of burglary increased 2.5% and arson rose 0.2%.
A breakdown of other areas of the state is as follows:
Offenses (all crimes)
Chicago
-2.8%
Downstate
-0.7%
Cook County
-2.4%
Suburban Cook County
-1.5%
Collar Counties
-2.1%
Urban Counties
+1.0%
Rural Counties
-1.1%
Illinois State Police Director Larry G. Trent said, “The decrease in the crime rate indicates that law enforcement and the citizens of our state continue to work together to secure a safe environment for everyone.”
