Domestic violence deaths rise 14% in Illinois, new report shows

ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Every year, the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence releases its homicide report. Their report for 2024 shows a 14% increase in domestic violence-related deaths from the previous year.

137 people died in 97 domestic violence incidents in the state of Illinois in 2024, up from 120 deaths in 90 incidents in 2023. 

It is a trend that organizations are seeing as well, like Dove Incorporated in Decatur. 

Dove said they’ve served 600 people through domestic violence-related issues in this calendar year alone. They said the higher rates of domestic violence incidents make it harder for them to accommodate everyone who walks through their doors.

“We need more places like this,” said Ryan Huff, marketing and communications coordinator at Dove. “More locations that can take people, because that’s honestly our biggest problem right now, we don’t have enough funding and enough space for everybody because of these rates going up.”

Huff said the problem is tied to a lack of affordable housing, too. He added that many victims can’t find a place to live, so they don’t leave an abusive relationship.

If you or someone you know is living through a domestic violence situation, Dove has a 24-hour hotline. You can contact them at 617-471-1234 or 888-314-3683. The State of Illinois also has a hotline at 800-799-7233.