Statewide, violent Index offenses reported to police decreased 28 percent between 1993 and 1999, to fewer than 91,000. During this period, the number of murders declined 31 percent, to 937 in 1999; robberies were down 40 percent, to fewer than 27,000, and criminal sexual assaults and aggravated assaults each dropped 20 percent, to 6,062 and 57,227, respectively. These decreases were found across the various regions of Illinois. Mirroring these decreases in reported violent crimes, the number of child abuse and neglect cases reported to and verified by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services between 1993 and 1999 also decreased statewide and across every region of the State. Although violent crime has been decreasing across most of Illinois' largest counties, a substantial number of Illinois' rural counties, many of which have high crime rates, have experienced increases in violent crime. Also, even in those counties where violent crime has decreased, the levels of violent crime are still of concern and continue to exact a large societal cost. The number of prison sentences has increased, while offenses and arrests have decreased; this indicates an increased likelihood of imprisonment if a person is arrested for a violent crime. The length of sentences imposed on those incarcerated for a violent Index offense have also increased; and as a result of Illinois' Truth-in-Sentencing law, the proportion of these sentences served will also increase. The majority of those sentenced to prison for a violent crime will be released at some point. Thus, continued attention must be paid to the reintegration into society of such offenders, including monitoring during the period following release. 2 figures