Even though Illinois is known for its lively culture and rich history, organized crime still has a negative impact on the state. Motorcycle gangs have entered numerous communities throughout the state due to their complex structures and aggressive tendencies.
We will examine the most well-known motorcycle gangs in Illinois and the grave risks they represent to public safety as we dig into the world of these violent groups in this article.
Outlaws MC
The Outlaws MC was established in 1935 in McCook, Illinois, and is the oldest outlaw biker club in the world.
It is the third largest organization in the world, after the Hells Angels and the Bandidos, with 275 chapters spread over 23 countries and over 3,000 members.
The FBI and the Criminal Intelligence Service Canada have designated the Outlaws as a “outlaw motorcycle gang.” Battles over territory, disputes over markets, and mistrust have been hallmarks of the Outlaws and Hells Angels’ acrimonious rivalry since the 1960s. These confrontations have resulted in numerous casualties on both sides.
The Outlaws are still at odds with a number of biker gangs, including the Sons of Silence, the Pagans, and the Mongols.
The Outlaws’ high-profile crimes, such as the 1974 bombing of the Montreal Hells Angels clubhouse, the 1994 murder of a Wisconsin police officer, the 2002 assassination of a rival gang member in Florida, and the 2006 murder of eight Bandidos members in Ontario, are another factor contributing to their notoriety.
Peckerwoods
Founded in 1987 in Santee, California, the Peckerwoods are an all-white illegal motorcycle club associated with the white supremacist prison organization Aryan Brotherhood. The club in Illinois is called Midwest Peckerwoods, and it has a similar logo and attitude.
The violent and racist activities of the Peckerwood family, which include drug and firearm trafficking, burglary, theft, and murder, are well known.
Additionally, they target people of all ethnicities, with a particular focus on African Americans and Hispanics. The club has had conflicts with rival motorcycle clubs like the Vagos, Mongols, and Hells Angels.
The Peckerwoods are viewed as a growing concern by law enforcement due to their growing presence and influence in the Midwest.
Among the high-profile crimes linked to the group are the murders of a Mongols member in Illinois in 2005, a Hells Angels member in Arizona in 2009, and a Vagos member in Nevada in 2010.
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Mongol Empire
Despite being a relatively new biker gang to the Illinois scene, the Mongol Nation has already established a reputation for being a fierce and dangerous group.
Founded in 1969 in Montebello, California, by Hispanic veterans rejected by other biker groups, the gang has an estimated 1,000 members. It has since expanded to 14 states and many other countries.
According to law authorities, the Mongol Nation is among the most criminally active outlaw motorcycle gangs in the United States.
They engage in robberies, assaults, murders, racketeering, and drug trafficking, particularly methamphetamine. The group is charged with hate crimes against African Americans and Jews.
The extreme hostility between the two groups is demonstrated by violent incidents like as the 2008 gunfight at Harrah’s Casino, the 2011 stabbing at the Denver Coliseum, and the 2002 Laughlin River Run altercation.
Tensions with the Outlaws escalated to the point in 2022, when a turf war between the two groups led to a bar shooting on Chicago’s Southwest Side.
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Final Thoughts
Because of their violent pasts and criminal activity, these motorcycle gangs are a serious threat to Illinois’ public safety. Law enforcement organizations are putting in a lot of effort to stop these gangs and take down their activities.
A multifaceted strategy, encompassing social intervention initiatives, law enforcement cooperation, and community participation, is necessary due to the intricate nature of gang activity.
Illinois can strive for a more secure and prosperous future by tackling the fundamental social and economic causes of gang violence.
