Loop · 2026-02
Loop crime reports jump 72% as graffiti calls spike
Crime reports in the Loop hit 591 in February, up 72% from January's 343. Violent incidents rose 59% to 132. Service requests also climbed 34%, driven by 254 graffiti removal calls and 145 pothole complaints. New business licenses jumped 24% to 98—among them G3 Jewelers, Tower House (a retail food spot), and American Montessori Academy - Printers Row. Permits dropped 18% to 162, though dollar value held steadier at $66 million. Express permits accounted for 104 of the total. What's behind the crime spike? The data doesn't say.
By the numbers
| Building permits | 162 |
|---|---|
| Declared construction value | $66,259,016 |
| New business licenses | 98 |
| Business closings (proxy) | 0 |
| 311 service requests | 986 |
| Reported crimes | 591 |
| Violent crimes | 132 |
| Failed food inspections | 21 |
New businesses
- G3 JEWELERS (Limited Business License)
- GATEWAY NEWS STAND (Retail Food Establishment)
- ARCWIDE INC. (Limited Business License)
- THE WELLNESS MACHINE (Limited Business License)
- Addison Group (Limited Business License)
- Tower House (Retail Food Establishment)
- 211 W Wacker Expansive LLC (Limited Business License)
- MELA (Retail Food Establishment)
- AMERICAN MONTESSORI ACADEMY - PRINTERS ROW (Children's Services Facility License)
- Tower House (Retail Food Establishment)
Top permit types
- PERMIT – EXPRESS PERMIT PROGRAM — 104
- PERMIT - RENOVATION/ALTERATION — 27
- PERMIT - ELEVATOR EQUIPMENT — 19
- PERMIT - NEW CONSTRUCTION — 6
- PERMIT - SIGNS — 4
Top 311 request types
- Graffiti Removal Request — 254
- Pothole in Street Complaint — 145
- Traffic Signal Out Complaint — 142
- Street Light Out Complaint — 52
- 311 INFORMATION ONLY CALL — 35