ILLINOIS (WCIA) -- Every year the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence releases their 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 organizations across Central Illinois 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

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