Murders and Serial Killers in the Chicago Area A known murderer or serial killer is the typical neighbor you would be unlikely to associate with a serious crime: an educated psychopath with little respect for life. Most of them commit murder for misplaced psychological benefits. Their actions border on madness as some commit thefts by stealing their victims' belongings and committing rape, an indication of a need for financial gain or a distorted sexual desire. It's disheartening that people always associate the city of Chicago with crime, from Prohibition-era gangsters to modern-day criminals; however, it is understandable because these crimes have a history dating back several decades and most have received extensive media coverage and documentation. Their names and aliases are ingrained in people's collective minds. In all cases, these serial killings attract national attention and spark heated debate, but this infamy sometimes fascinates the public enough to spark initial interest in potential criminals. An examination of the characteristics of serial killers active in the Chicago area reveals that they had various motivations for their crimes, but the prevailing factors tend to include financial gain, sexual perversion, racial hatreds, and infamy. Chicago's infamous reputation as a lawless and corruption-ridden city stems from the motives for crimes committed by particular individuals in the Chicago area and the media attention these cases have gained. An analysis of the most notorious murderers and serial killers in the Chicago area shows varying degrees of psychopathy or mental illness, which ultimately contributes to homicidal behavior. The analysis also shows that… half of the document……, Russell D. “Criminal Madness: Cultural Iconography and Insanity”. Stanford Law Review 61.6 (2009): 1375-1427.Flynn, Clifton P. “Examining the Links Between Animal Abuse and Human Violence.” Crime, Law and Social Change 55.5 (2011): 453-68Hill, Rachael A. “Character, Choice, and Aberrant Behavior: Aligning Criminal Sentencing with Concepts of Moral Guilt.” The University of Chicago Law Review, 65.3 (1998): 975 -99. Rentschler, Carrie A. “Victims' Rights and Crime Fighting in the Media.” Canadian Journal of Communication 32.2 (2007): 219-39. Stevens, Aaron P. “Stopping Crime: Expanding the Reach of DNA Databases in America.” Texas Law Review 79.4 (2001): 921-60.Williams, Reginald Risse, and Zeckhauser “On Racial Profiling: A Response.” Utility 22.2 (2010): 228-31