Illinois Police: East St. Louis Homicides Hit 45-Year Low

Finally, there's some good news when it comes to crime rates in the East St. Louis area. Illinois State Police have just shared numbers showing that homicides have remarkably hit a 45-year low.

This new press release from the Public Information Office of the Illinois State Police reveals a welcome downward trend when it comes to homicides. They started a concerted effort to reduce gun violence in East St. Louis with operations that started in 2020. The focus on targeting some of the most violent criminals using new technology and work with local law enforcement has resulted in an almost constant reduction year-over-year of homicides in that region. Here's the breakdown they shared starting in 2020 through the end of 2025:

• 2020 - 34 homicides, 127 non-fatal shootings
• 2021 - 32 homicides, 115 non-fatal shootings
• 2022 - 25 homicides, 85 non-fatal shootings
• 2023 - 27 homicides, 84 non-fatal shootings
• 2024 - 20 homicides, 57 non-fata shootings
• 2025 - 15 homicides, 50 non-fatal shootings

“Illinois is taking bold steps to prioritize public safety, significantly reduce crime, and strengthen our local communities,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I’m proud to see the Public Safety Enforcement Group's encouraging results in the Metro East, and I’m committed to further reducing gun violence, homicides, and other violent crime in every corner of the state."

This East St. Louis anti-violence campaign has been an effort that includes work by the ISP Patrol Troop 8, the South Special Operations Group (SOG), Air Operations, Firearms Investigations Unit, and the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois.