N.D. Ill. · Fraud/Theft/EmbezzlementFY2018–FY2025
Districts › Northern District of Illinois
Fraud/Theft/Embezzlement in the Northern District of Illinois
N.D. Ill. · Seventh Circuit · Fraud/Theft/Embezzlement nationally
The datafile contains cases reported to the Commission with sentencing documents. Sentence length statistics use the Commission's capped variable (sentences of 470 months or longer, including life, are recorded as 470 months) and exclude sentences of probation or a fine only. Figures are aggregates of past cases and are not a prediction for any case.
§ 1Length of prison terms
Interquartile range 6–39 months; mean 30. 0 cases at the Commission's 470-month cap (life or longer).
§ 2Summary
921 fraud, theft and embezzlement offences were sentenced in the Northern District of Illinois across 8 fiscal years (FY2018–FY2025), 115 of them in FY2025; that is 19% of the district's caseload.
The median prison term was 21 months (1 yr 9 mo), close to the national median for fraud, theft and embezzlement offences (20 months) and close to the Seventh Circuit median (24). Half of prison terms fell between 6 and 39 months; 73% of cases carried a prison term.
23% of these sentences were within the guideline range (nationally for this offence type: 44%); 22% were below the range on a government motion and 54% below it for other reasons.
FY2025 had fewer cases than FY2018 (115 against 165). The median prison term in FY2025 (27 months) was longer than in FY2018 (21 months).
These are aggregates of past cases. The guideline range for any case depends on its offence level, criminal history and statutory minimums, and the sentence on the court's findings; no figure here estimates an outcome.
§ 3Position relative to the guideline range
Within guideline range 23%Above range 1%Below range, government sponsored 22%Below range, other 54%Not determinable <10
§ 4Compared with the district, the circuit and the nation
| Measure | N.D. Ill., fraud/theft/embezzlement | N.D. Ill., all offences | 7th Cir., fraud/theft/embezzlement | US, fraud/theft/embezzlement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cases per fiscal year | 115 | 616 | 285 | 5,440 |
| Share of district caseload | 18.7% | 100% | — | — |
| Median prison months | 21 | 44 | 24 | 20 |
| Mean prison months | 30 | 62 | — | 28 |
| Cases with a prison term | 73% | 91% | 72% | 74% |
| Within guideline range | 23% | 30% | 35% | 44% |
| Above range | 1% | 3% | 2% | 3% |
| Below range, government sponsored | 22% | 17% | 22% | 25% |
| Below range, other | 54% | 51% | 42% | 29% |
| Median final offence level | 19 | 21 | — | 14 |
§ 5Trend by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Cases | Prison | Median months | Within range | Below, gov. | Below, other | Above |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2018 | 165 | 73% | 21 | 21% | 29% | 49% | — |
| FY2019 | 145 | 81% | 21 | 21% | 22% | 55% | — |
| FY2020 | 89 | 70% | 15 | 18% | 23% | 58% | — |
| FY2021 | 87 | 60% | 17 | 32% | 16% | 51% | — |
| FY2022 | 95 | 64% | 24 | 24% | 20% | 56% | 0% |
| FY2023 | 100 | 78% | 18 | 24% | 12% | 62% | — |
| FY2024 | 125 | 73% | 18 | 21% | 21% | 58% | 0% |
| FY2025 | 115 | 83% | 27 | 24% | 24% | 49% | — |
§ 6Criminal history
Share of cases at each final criminal history category; grey figure: fraud, theft and embezzlement offences nationally.
§ 7Guidelines applied
- §2B1.1 Larceny, embezzlement, theft, fraud and deceit · 878 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §none · 89 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §2X3.1 Accessory after the fact · 13 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §2B1.4 Insider trading · 12 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §2X1.1 Attempt, solicitation or conspiracy (not covered by a specific guideline) · <10 cases in the district (all offence types)
Primary guidelines the Commission associates with this offence type, with the district's caseload under each across all offence types.
§ 8Questions and answers
What is the typical sentence for fraud, theft and embezzlement offences in the Northern District of Illinois?
The median prison term over FY2018–FY2025 was 21 months (1 yr 9 mo), with the middle half of terms between 6 and 39 months. 73% of cases carried a prison term. The national median for fraud, theft and embezzlement offences is 20 months.
How often are fraud, theft and embezzlement offences sentenced below the guideline range here?
22% of sentences were below the range on a government motion and 54% below it for other reasons; 23% were within the range. The Commission's categories are explained in the guide to how the guidelines work.
How does this compare with the rest of the country?
Nationally, fraud, theft and embezzlement offences had a median prison term of 20 months and a within-range share of 44% over the same period. The district's figures are close to on median term and lower than the national within-range share.
Which guidelines are involved?
The most common primary guidelines for these cases are §2B1.1, §none and §2X3.1.
Is this a prediction for a particular case?
No. The figures are aggregates of sentences already imposed, as recorded by the US Sentencing Commission. They are not legal advice and do not estimate the outcome of any case.
§ 9Other offence types in the Northern District of Illinois
- Drug Trafficking 1,367
- Firearms 1,067
- Robbery 430
- Immigration 286
- Money Launder 134
- Tax 107
- Bribery/Corruption 93
- Sex Abuse 79
- Child Pornography 74
- Murder 61
- Assault 53
§ 10Provenance
Source: United States Sentencing Commission, Individual Offender Datafiles, fiscal years 2018–2025 (US government works), aggregated by this site; the FY2025 file is dated 29 Apr 2026. Offence type is the Commission's OFFGUIDE code 16; district is CIRCDIST 47. Counts below 10 are hidden or pooled. Errors in this site's processing are corrected at the next build; see corrections. Methodology.