Expressway Shootings Down 65% In Chicago Area From Record High In 2021

CHICAGO — Expressway shootings in the Chicago area are trending downward for the third year in a row after a historic high in 2021, according to state police.

At the midway mark for 2024, the agency is reporting a 36 percent decrease in Chicago area expressway shootings compared to the same time last year, from 59 to 38 between Jan. 1 and June 30. Compared to 2021, when expressway shootings hit an all-time high, there’s been a 65 percent reduction for the same timeframe, down from 109.

The number of non-fatal injury expressway shootings in the area is down 47 percent compared to the same time in 2023, from 18 to nine. Mid-year in 2021, there had been 61 injury-involved shootings.

Victims and witnesses increasingly report road rage was involved in expressway shootings, according to state police

To reduce the shootings, the agency increased patrols, created special operation groups focused on violent crime reduction, used automated license plate readers, increased air operations, conducted intensive investigations and enhanced forensic services.