By Kevin Hoffman
Reboot Illinois
CHICAGO — The Illinois Department of Corrections houses more than 45,000 inmates in 25 correctional facilities throughout the state.
In Illinois, felonies, except for first-degree murder, are designated by class, ranging from Class 1 to Class 4 and Class X felonies, with the latter being the most serious. Those serving sentences for Class X felonies account for 25.4 percent of the state’s prison population, according to the department of corrections’ most recent annual report.
Offenses are broken down into 28 broad categories, including robbery, burglary, homicide, weapons and assaultive. Using the latest available statistics, the 10 crimes listed below are the most common in the state’s correctional system. We also have included the number of offenders who are imprisoned for those crimes and a brief explanation of the offense category from FindLaw.com and ilga.gov.
10. Robbery
Many states define robbery as theft/larceny of property or money through the offender’s use of physical force or fear against a victim. Where a deadly weapon such as a gun is used or the victim suffers injury, the robbery may be charged as “armed” or “aggravated.” Unlike burglary, the crime of robbery almost always requires the presence of a victim who suffers actual injury or is threatened with harm.
Number: 1,616
Percent: 3.3%
9. DUI
The threshold for driving under the influence of alcohol in illinois is a blood alcohol content of .08 percent. Despite widespread ad campaigns warning of the dangers and legal penalties for drunken driving, it remains one of the most common violations in Illinois.
Number: 1,651
Percent: 3.4%
8. Residential Burglary
Illinois law defines residential burglary when a person “knowingly and without authority enters or knowingly and without authority remains within the dwelling place of another, or any part thereof, with the intent to commit therein a felony or theft.”
Number: 2,110
Percent: 4.3%
7. Armed Robbery
Many states define robbery as theft/larceny of property or money through the offender’s use of physical force or fear against a victim. Where a deadly weapon such as a gun is used or the victim suffers injury, the robbery may be charged as “armed” or “aggravated.” Unlike burglary, the crime of robbery almost always requires the presence of a victim who suffers actual injury, or is threatened with harm.
Number: 2,754
Percent: 5.6%
6. Burglary
Burglary is typically defined as the unlawful entry into almost any structure (not just a home or business) with the intent to commit any crime inside (not just theft/larceny). No physical breaking and entering is required; the offender may simply trespass through an open door. Unlike robbery, which involves use of force or fear to obtain another person’s property, there is usually no victim present during a burglary.
Number: 2,865
Percent: 5.9%
5. Weapons
The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Gun owners often cite the Second Amendment when arguing against gun restrictions. However, gun owners, dealers, and collectors must follow state and federal laws if they wish possess a firearm, or run a business selling guns.
Number: 3,126
Percent: 6.4%
4. Assaultive
Most people think of “assault” as referring to a violent attack. For example, as in “the gang assaulted a rival gang member on the corner of the street” or “the marines began their assault on the enemy position atop the hill.” Violence, or at least some sort of physical contact, is generally implied in the term.
However, while state laws sometimes differ, assault generally doesn’t require that physical contact actuallly occurred. Instead, legal scholars define assault as an intentional attempt or threat to inflict injury upon a person, coupled with an apparent, present ability to cause the harm, which creates a reasonable apprehension of bodily harm or offensive contact in another.
Number: 3,795
Percent: 7.8%
3. Sexual Assault
Specific laws vary by state, but sexual assault generally refers to any crime in which the offender subjects the victim to sexual touching that is unwanted and offensive. These crimes can range from sexual groping or assault/battery, to attempted rape.
Number: 4,828
Percent: 9.9%
2. Controlled Substance Act
The Controlled Substances Act is the federal drug policy that regulates the manufacture and distribution of controlled substances such as hallucinogens, narcotics, depressants, and stimulants. The Act categorizes drugs into five “Schedules” or classifications based on their potential for abuse, status in international treaties, and any medical benefits they may provide. Drugs classified in Schedule 1 are considered the most harmful substances with no medical benefits, and the rest descend from there.
Number: 8,565
Percent: 17.5%
1. Homicide
Homicides include all killings of humans. Many homicides violate criminal laws and are classified as murder or manslaughter, with multiple degrees of each representing the gravity of the crime.. Others, such as a killing committed in justified self-defense, are not criminal.
Number: 8,865
Percent: 18.1%
Kevin Hoffman is a Reboot Illinois staff writer who graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in journalism, political science and international studies. He believes keeping citizens informed and politicians in check is the best way to improve Illinois and bring about common sense reform. Follow us on .
Reboot Illinois is a nonpartisan website and social media effort dedicated to involving Illinoisans in the key issues facing our state, including state debt, corruption and waste and improving business and schools.
Copyright 2016 Reboot Illinois