INTERSTATE SHOOTINGS DECREASE FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT YEAR WITH ZERO FATAL SHOOTINGS IN 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 12, 2026

SPRINGFIELD – For the fourth year in a row, the number of shootings on Illinois interstates has dropped. ​ The Illinois State Police (ISP) is reporting interstate shootings statewide decreased 31% in 2025, compared to 2024, with zero fatal interstate shooting in Illinois. This is the first time in roughly a decade there has been zero interstate shooting fatalities. ​

“Public safety has been a key priority under my administration, and thanks to sustained investments and the efforts of the Illinois State Police, our state has seen safer interstates year after year,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “In the past four years alone, interstate shootings have decreased by 80% and no one lost their life to gun violence on Illinois’ interstates in 2025. We’re committed to building upon this progress and will continue working tirelessly to improve public safety across Illinois.”

Since the post-pandemic spike of 2021, there has been a decrease in interstate shootings every year: ​

“When faced with a surge of violence on Illinois interstates, ISP took immediate action, dedicating personnel, technology, Air Operations, K9 units, forensics, and investigative expertise, successfully decreasing the number of shootings,” said ISP Director Bredan F. Kelly. ​ “Our multifaceted approach has proven to be effective, but as crime evolves, so will we in order to keep our communities safe.” ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

The use of ISP Air Operations and Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) has been instrumental in identifying and tracking those committing crime, as well as reducing crashes. ​ ISP uses its Air Operations to help track vehicles and individuals fleeing from officers, reducing the risk of a high speed pursuit that can result in a fatal crash. ​ ISP also uses ALPRs, not only to assist in apprehending individuals in real time as the crime occurs, like a vehicle hijacking, but also during investigations. ​ Troopers and Special Agents can use ALPRs to identify vehicles that may have been involved in or witnessed an interstate shooting and follow up with those individuals. ​ ISP has installed ALPR cameras on interstates in counties across the state as part of the Tamara Clayton Expressway Camera Act, enacted in 2020. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

ISP remains committed to reducing shootings and fatalities, getting illegal guns and drugs off the streets, and making communities safer.

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