Rockford records low 2012 homicide rate

Jan. 2, 2013
The city of Rockford ended 2012 with 14 homicides — the lowest total in eight years.

Aurora finishes year homicide-free

Jan. 2, 2013
AURORA, Ill. — Illinois' second-largest city finished 2012 without a single homicide.The Beacon-News reports that Aurora was homicide-free last year for the first time since 1946.The last killing reported in the western Chicago suburb was on Dec. 21, 2011.

Violence, gangs scar Chicago in 2012

Dec. 30, 2012
It's been a bloody year in the nation's third-largest city. A spike in murders and shootings — much of it gang-related — shocked Chicagoans, spurred new crime-fighting strategies and left indelible images.

Chicago approaches 500 homicides

Dec. 28, 2012
The last time the city reached the 500-homicide mark was in 2008, when the year ended with 512 killings. Last year, city records show Chicago had 435 homicides.On Thursday, officials with the Chicago Police Department said the city was one homicide away from the 500 mark.

Truth in numbers: Former gang members discuss the reality of Chicago's rising homicide numbers

Jun. 15, 2012
Last weekend was a bloody one: More than 50 shootings were reported, nearly 20 percent of those were fatal. Summer after summer, Chicagoans are consumed by violence and a seemingly exponential murder rate.

Campus Crime: What students really fear

Oct. 27, 2010
The recent disappearance of freshman Toni Keller in the rural college campus of Northern Illinois University has created considerable anxiety for her parents, fellow students and school officials. Despite some high profile crimes, university campuses are thought to be relatively safe havens.