$1,000 for information on Elgin shootings

An Elgin neighborhood group will offer a cash reward for information on three recent shootings on the city's east side.

The Gifford Park Association, better known for its preservation work in the Elgin Historic District, finalized the reward posting at a meeting Thursday night with Elgin Deputy Police Chief Robert Beeter. Reward money would come from the group's treasury, mostly raised by hosting historic house tours.

The reward is $1,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in any of three shootings: a July 26 shooting that left two dead, a Sept. 12 shooting that wounded one, and a Sept. 23 shooting that wounded three. There have been no arrests in any of the shootings.

If multiple tips lead to multiple convictions, the reward will be split.

According to Beeter, who attended the meeting to advise the group on their new strategy, this may be the first time a neighborhood group has made such an offer in Elgin.

Gifford Park Association President Dan Miller hopes that in addition to helping solve the recent shootings, the reward might serve as a deterrent to further crime in the area.

Such an effect is possible, according to Beeter. Although rewards don't necessarily lead directly to convictions, Beeter said, they still help by raising public awareness.

"There's really no downside," Beeter said. "It shows the neighborhood is united and wants to get these things solved and is willing to put their money where their mouth is."

"If someone's on the fence or apprehensive about coming forward," Beeter said, "sometimes a reward can be a catalyst."

Police encourage anyone with information on the shootings to call the Elgin Police Department's Crime Line at (847) 695-4195.