From Patrick Kenneally:

OPINION | PATRICK KENNEALLY: LOWEST CRIME RATES IN MCHENRY COUNTY IN YEARS

Patrick D. Kenneally, McHenry County State’s Attorney, recently and proudly announced that according to the most recent Illinois State Police data, McHenry County has experienced a significant decrease in crime rates, reaching an all-time low in 2021.

With this achievement, McHenry County holds the distinction of being

• the safest county in Illinois with a population of 100,000 or more, and
• the second safest county for populations of 50,000 or more.

Additionally, efforts to combat the opioid epidemic have shown progress, as the county witnessed a decline in overdose deaths and McHenry County having the lowest rate of overdose deaths when compared to surrounding counties.

In 2022, McHenry County lost 40 residents to overdose, a significant decrease from the nearly 80 lives lost in 2017.

The McHenry County court system, in partnership with the State’s Attorney’s Office runs two court programs:

• Drug Court and
• the first-of-its-kind DUI Court.

These programs offer intensive treatment options rather than punishment for defendants whose charges are related to substance abuse.

The court system also has a Mental Health Court Program which is a court-supervised program that takes a comprehensive and coordinated approach on providing mental health treatment, support services, and monitoring progress; ultimately reducing recidivism and improving well-being.

McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office introduced

• the Domestic Violence Deferred Prosecution Program

which is an alternative prosecution program created by the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office for individuals charged with the misdemeanor offense of domestic battery.

Generally, individuals who are charged with the offense of misdemeanor domestic battery to an intimate partner, have little to no criminal history, and are accused of “low-level” or no injury to the victim are eligible for the program; however, each situation giving rise to the charge(s) is carefully considered by the State’s Attorney’s Office.

These groundbreaking programs indicate a shift in the county’s approach to criminal justice and demonstrate a strong dedication to rehabilitative measures and long-term solutions.

The continued efforts of law enforcement, local government, and community organizations have contributed to McHenry County’s impressive crime reduction, demonstrating a strong commitment to ensuring a safe environment for its residents.