Crimes are sometimes broadly classified or categorized by their nature—such as (1) crimes that are harmful to the victim’s body (assault, battery, rape, and murder) and are known as crimes against the person; and (2) crimes that are harmful to the victim by depriving him of his property or damaging his property and are known as crimes against property (criminal trespassing, burglary, robbery, bribery, blackmail, theft, arson).

In Illinois, crimes are indeed categorized by their nature, aligning with the broad classifications mentioned. Crimes against the person, such as assault, battery, rape, and murder, are offenses that cause physical harm or pose a direct threat to an individual's safety. These are covered under specific statutes in the Illinois Criminal Code, with varying degrees of severity and corresponding penalties. For example, assault and battery are typically charged under 720 ILCS 5/12-1 and 720 ILCS 5/12-3, respectively, while more serious offenses like murder are addressed under 720 ILCS 5/9-1. On the other hand, crimes against property, such as criminal trespassing, burglary, robbery, bribery, blackmail, theft, and arson, involve the unlawful taking, damaging, or infringement of someone's property rights. These crimes are also defined in the Illinois Criminal Code, with theft and robbery covered under 720 ILCS 5/16-1 and 720 ILCS 5/18-1, respectively, and arson under 720 ILCS 5/20-1. The state statutes provide a framework for prosecution and penalties, which can range from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on factors like the crime's severity, the value of property involved, and the presence of aggravating circumstances.