Top 10 Most Common Crimes Committed By Illinois' Inmates

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 correction's 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%

You can see the Top 5 most common crimes committed by the state's inmates at RebootIllinois.com.

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