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Illinois — Illinois State Police said the number of shootings on Illinois interstates decreased for the third year in a row in 2024.
According to the ISP announcement, shootings decreased by 31% statewide in 2024 over 2023, dropping from 129 to 89.
Illinois saw an all-time record of interstate shootings in 2021, when it peaked at 310. Since then it has decreased every year, according to a news release from ISP.
In 2022, the number dropped 71% to 189 shootings, and in 2023 it dropped another 53% to 129, according to the release.
This past year marks the first time in years the number of incidents has dropped below 100, according to the release.
“The continued dedication of resources, including personnel, license plate readers, Air Ops, K9 units, and investigations has allowed ISP to reduce crime on interstates and make roads safer,” ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly said in the release. “Although our strategies for crime reduction continue to evolve, ISP’s commitment to protecting the public remains unwavering.”
Last year saw an increase in patrol enforcement and “special violent crime reduction missions,” which saw fatal crashes decrease by 7%, according to the release. It also led to a 3% increase in the number of illegal firearms seized and a 24% increase in vehicles recovered from crimes.
Air Ops and Automated License Plate Readers have “been a game changer in identifying and tracking those committing crimes, as well as reducing crashes,” according to the state police.
Air Ops are used to help track vehicles and people fleeing from officers, which reduces the risk of dangerous, high speed pursuits.
License plate readers are used for both apprehending people in real time as crimes like carjacking occur, and during longer investigations, according to the state police.
ISP agents can use the technology to identify vehicles, which were involved in or witnessed crimes including shootings on the road and track down and follow up with those individuals, according to the release.