Crime Down Across Sangamon County

Reported crime has declined across Sangamon County in 2026, according to recently released statistics from the Springfield Police Department and Sangamon County Sheriff's Office. The reductions come as local law enforcement agencies continue efforts to address violent crime, illegal firearms, gang activity and other criminal offenses throughout the community.

Data released by the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office shows a 23.17% reduction in reported Group A offenses during the first nine months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. Between January 1 and September 24, the Sheriff's Office recorded 1,184 offenses, compared to 1,541 during the corresponding period last year.

The largest reduction occurred in property crimes, which declined 31.31%, from 872 reported offenses in 2025 to 599 in 2026. Burglaries fell nearly 50%, from 172 to 87, while larceny and theft offenses decreased from 258 to 199. Motor vehicle thefts also declined by 20%, and reported destruction of property offenses dropped by more than 25%.

Crimes against persons decreased 12.59%, from 588 reported offenses to 514. Aggravated assaults declined from 102 to 92, while simple assaults fell from 362 to 336. The Sheriff's Office also reported no murders during the period, compared to two during the same period in 2025.

Similar trends have been reported within the Springfield city limits. In an October 16 release, the Springfield Police Department announced that reported violent crime had declined approximately 21% between September 2025 and September 2026. Property crime reports fell approximately 17% during that period, following an additional 13% reduction from 2024 to 2025.

The reductions come amid continued investigations and enforcement efforts involving multiple law enforcement agencies. In recent weeks, authorities have announced several cases involving violent crime, gang activity and illegal firearms.

On September 22, Sangamon County State's Attorney John Milhiser announced racketeering indictments against 23 alleged gang members following a joint investigation involving the Sheriff's Office, Springfield Police Department and State's Attorney's Office. The investigation examined criminal activity dating back to August 2024 and involved two rival Springfield gangs accused of participating in murders, shootings, illegal firearms possession and drug-related offenses.

The indictments were connected to four separate homicide investigations involving six deaths, including the October 2025 killing of nine-year-old Cash Russell. All 23 defendants were charged with racketeering conspiracy under Illinois law, with 15 facing additional charges related to their alleged involvement in the criminal activity.

More recently, an October 11 domestic disturbance investigation in Sangamon County led deputies to recover 18 firearms, including two stolen weapons, two fully automatic AK-47-style machine guns and two firearms without serial numbers. Investigators also recovered approximately 900 grams of suspected cannabis and materials associated with drug distribution.

Larry Gillespie, 39, was arrested on a domestic battery charge, and the Sangamon County State's Attorney's Office subsequently filed an additional charge of felon in possession of a weapon. According to court records, Gillespie has four previous felony convictions involving controlled substances.

In another recent case, a Pawnee man was sentenced to 20 years in prison following an investigation by the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office involving the sexual assault of a child. Bradley Hesse, 56, was sentenced September 23 after being convicted of two counts of criminal sexual assault and one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. The investigation began in April 2024 and involved cooperation between sheriff's detectives, the Pawnee Police Department, the Sangamon County Child Advocacy Center and other agencies.

While the investigations represent separate law enforcement actions, they illustrate the types of criminal activity local authorities continue to pursue as reported crime declines.

"The numbers show that crime is moving in the right direction, but that doesn't mean our work is finished," Sangamon County Sheriff Paula Crouch said. "We are going to continue cracking down on violent crime and holding criminals accountable. Our deputies are working every day alongside our law enforcement partners to protect the people of Sangamon County, and we intend to keep that pressure on."

Crouch also pointed to changes within the Sheriff's Office, including additional training and resources for deputies, as part of the department's ongoing efforts to address crime.

"Since becoming Sheriff, I've focused on making sure our deputies have the training, resources and support they need to do their jobs effectively," Crouch said. "We've worked to strengthen our training programs, improve how we respond to crime and give our deputies the tools they need to protect our communities. We're going to continue investing in our people and making improvements that help us better serve Sangamon County."

The Springfield Police Department has also emphasized the role of technology, specialized investigative units and cooperation with other agencies in addressing criminal activity.

According to the department, its Real Time Information Center, license plate recognition cameras, ShotSpotter technology, drones and other investigative resources assist officers in identifying criminal activity and responding to incidents. The department also utilizes specialized units focused on drug offenses, firearms, gang activity and neighborhood-specific concerns.

Those efforts are supported by partnerships with the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office, Illinois State Police, Sangamon County State's Attorney's Office and several federal agencies, including the FBI, ATF, DEA and U.S. Marshals Service.

Although the city and county statistics cover different reporting periods and jurisdictions, both agencies have documented reductions in reported criminal offenses during 2026.

The Springfield Police Department said it will continue evaluating crime trends and adjusting its enforcement strategies, while the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office continues its investigations and cooperation with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.