The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently released new data on crime across the nation. According to the report, Illinois’ 2020 rate of violent crime per 100,000 people was 425.9, an increase from the 2019 rate of 415, and notably higher than the national average of 398.
In 2020, Illinois experienced 9.1 murders per 100,000 people, also significantly above the national average of 6.5. While the homicide rate is increasing nationally, at a rate of approximately 27 percent from 2019 to 2020, the homicide rate in Illinois has increased 36 percent over the same time frame.
Members of the Senate Republican Caucus recently introduced more than a dozen bills specifically designed to help alleviate the surge in violence across the state.
Senator Sue Rezin says she believes that it is urgent that the General Assembly take up the package of public safety measures during the upcoming fall veto session.