Man Sentenced To Life For Sexual Assault At Deerfield Hotel: Lake County State's Attorney's Office

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Chris Butler, who was found guilty last year on two felony counts of criminal sexual assault for a 2024 incident at a Deerfield hotel, will spend the rest of his natural life behind bars in the Illinois Department of Corrections. A Lake County judge delivered the guilty verdict Monday, according to the Lake County State's Attorney's Office.

Butler, 44, was charged in May 2024 after the Deerfield Police Department received a report of a sexual assault at a local hotel. During the subsequent investigation, police learned the victim knew Butler, and witnesses reported seeing the attack.

Butler, who fled to Champaign following the incident, was eventually located there and taken into custody by the Champaign Police Department.

In April 2025, Butler was found guilty of the felony criminal sexual assault charges following a bench trial. Due to a prior sexual offense conviction in Cook County in 2007, the most recent conviction statutorily mandated a sentence of natural life in prison, according to the LCSAO.

During the sentencing hearing, Lauren Walker, who was lead counsel, and Brooke Wanzenberg, assistant state's attorney, argued that Butler has been a sexual predator for almost 20 years and a mandatory life sentence "reflects the Illinois legislature's decision to severely treat those who engage in repetitive conduct of sexual assault."

Butler has been held in the Lake County Jail since he was charged after the State filed a petition to detain, and a judge granted that petition.

Before September 2023, the LCSAO noted that individuals charged with sex crimes were able to post cash bond. Now, under reforms, sex offenders can be detained without the ability to use their cash to be released.

"Our first thoughts are always with the survivor of this violent offense. We will support them beyond the close of this case," Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart said after the sentencing. "Next, we are satisfied that the community is safer after this life sentence. Experienced trial prosecutors and police investigators delivered and made sure that this offender faced justice."