Illinois traffic deaths up in 2020 Scot Bertram The Center Square Feb. 25, 2021 FacebookTwitterEmail In this September photo, Alton Police Sgt. Emily Hejna joins the Illinois State Police and members of the Metro East Crash Assistance Team examining a Hyundai Tucson involved in a fatal motorcycle crash in Alton. State officials report Illinois traffic deaths rose in 2020 despite reports of fewer people on roads. SPRINGFIELD — Illinois traffic deaths rose in 2020 despite reports of fewer people on roads across the state. Preliminary reports indicate 1,166 people died in crashes around the state last year, an increase of 16 percent from 2019. The overall fatality number hasn’t been that high since back in 2007.