Earlier this week, the Elgin Police Chief appeared before the City Council for her 2020 budget and informed the Elgin City Council that serious crime dropped approximately 17% from last year. The Chief of Police is requesting that she be allowed to hire 2 more 911 operators and 4 new part-time Auxiliary Police Officers for next year. Currently, the Elgin Police Department employees 184 sworn officers along with 85 civilian employees.
Last year, serious crime in Elgin increased by 5%. Last year’s increase was the first increase in serious crime in Elgin in 4 years. This year, there were 24 reports of shots fired in Elgin. 7 people were shot and there was 1 murder. This time last year, there were 31 reports of shots fired, 12 victims of gunshots, and 3 murders. 26 rapes were reported in Elgin this year. This time last year, 40 rapes had been reported. This represents a 35% drop in the number of rapes reported in Elgin this year. 41 batteries were reported in Elgin so far this year. This time last year, 95 batteries were reported. This represents a 57% drop in the number of batteries in Elgin. 34 assaults we reported in Elgin so far this year. This time last year, 52 batteries were reported. This represents a 35% drop in the number of assaults. 184 Burglaries to Autos were reported in Elgin so far this year. This time last year, 299 Burglaries to Autos were reported. This represents a 35% drop in the number Burglary to Autos. Last year, Burglaries to Autos increased by 18% over the previous year. The number of Thefts, Arsons, and Motor Vehicle Thefts, also decreased from last year. The number of Robberies in 2019 is at 54, which is the same as this time last year. The only serious crime that increased from last year was Burglaries which increased from 137 to 144. This represents a 5% increase in the number of Burglaries in Elgin so far this year.
The statistics for less serious crimes like Drug Offenses, Kidnappings, Simple Batteries, Assaults, Threatening the Use of Force, Disorderly Conduct, and liquor offenses, also show an overall decrease of approximately 5% from last year.
Elgin is the 8th largest city in Illinois with a population of 112,456 people. Elgin is roughly 35 miles northwest of Chicago and is part of Kane County. Elgin is a rapidly expanding community in Illinois that has one of the largest number of new home closings in the state.
Since Elgin is part of Kane County, all Elgin criminal cases are in the Kane County Judicial Circuit. The main criminal courthouse in Kane County is located at 37W775 Illinois 38 in St Charles. All Elgin felony cases are heard on the third floor of the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles. The Kane County Judicial Center is located next to the Kane County Jail.
Most Kane County Misdemeanor cases are heard on the 2nd floor of the Kane County Judicial Center. One of the main Kane County Branch Courthouses is located in Elgin at 1500 Dexter Court. The Elgin County Branch Courthouse is located in the same building as the Elgin Police Department Headquarters and the Elgin Village Hall. Some minor misdemeanor and traffic cases are heard at the Elgin Branch Courthouse. In addition, Municipal Ordinance Violations, which are prosecuted by Village attorneys, are handled at the Elgin Branch Courthouse. If you are arrested in Elgin, Carpentersville, South Elgin, East Dundee, and West Dundee, you may have Bond Court at 8 am to the Elgin Branch courthouse for your Bond Hearing.
James Dimeas, is a nationally recognized, award-winning, Elgin criminal defense lawyer, with over-27 years of experience handling criminal cases in Elgin, and Kane County. James Dimeas also handles criminal cases in Chicago, Cook County, DuPage County, and Lake County. Recently, James Dimeas was named a “Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer in the State of Illinois for the Year 2018 and 2019” by the American Society of Legal Advocates. James Dimeas was named a “Best DUI Attorney” and a “Best Criminal Defense Lawyer in Chicago” by Expertise. James Dimeas was named a “Top 100 Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer” by the National Trial Lawyers. The National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys awarded James Dimeas the “Top 10 Attorney Award for the State of Illinois”. James Dimeas is rated “Superb” by AVVO, the highest classification possible for any criminal defense lawyer in the United States. The American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys recognized James Dimeas as a “10 Best Attorney for Client Satisfaction.” Attorney and Practice Magazine gave James Dimeas the “Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorney Award for Illinois”.
If you are facing criminal charges in Elgin or Kane County, you can contact James Dimeas anytime for a personal consultation by calling him at 847-807-7405.
Additional Resources:
Additional Blogs: