City In Review: Chicago

Lower West Side · 2026-02

Lower West Side 311 calls jump 56% on graffiti reports

Service requests spiked to 1,334 in February, up 56% from January, with graffiti removal leading the surge at 311 calls. Pothole complaints came in second with 191. Crime counts also climbed—187 incidents overall, including 70 violent offenses, both up roughly 59%. On the business side, 30 new licenses included UZ. Food (mobile food), Lalo's Abuelo Barber Shop, and Pinwheel Records. Permits ticked up to 24 from 20, though their combined value dropped 36% to $2.4 million. Most permits were express program filings.

By the numbers

Building permits24
Declared construction value$2,386,895
New business licenses30
Business closings (proxy)0
311 service requests1334
Reported crimes187
Violent crimes70
Failed food inspections4

New businesses

Top permit types

Top 311 request types

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