Pulling this ward's data…
Pulling this ward's data…
✦ Ward 12
Brighton Park · Mckinley Park · New City
Alderman since 2023
Ward 12 covers portions of Chicago's southwest side, including the community areas of Brighton Park [1], McKinley Park [2], and New City [3], the latter of which contains the neighborhoods of Canaryville and Back of the Yards [3].
In Sep 2026, the ward recorded 243 crime incidents, bringing the 12-month total to 2,707, ranking 36th of 50 wards, up 4.7% from a year earlier [4]. Building permits totaled 32 in Sep 2026, with 345 issued over the last 12 months, ranking 44th of 50, a rise of 23.1% versus a year ago [5]. Construction cost reached $1.6M in Sep 2026, with a 12-month total of $197.5M, ranking 13th of 50 wards and marking an increase of 316.8% from a year earlier [5]. The ward logged 1,615 311 requests in Sep 2026, totaling 20,526 over the past 12 months, ranking 27th of 50, up 14.5% from a year ago [6]. Business licenses issued in Sep 2026 numbered 79, with 730 issued over the last 12 months, ranking 9th of 50 wards, an increase of 58.0% compared to a year earlier [7].
The ward is represented by Alderperson Julia M. Ramirez [8]. On the five highest-profile council votes tracked, Ramirez voted with the Mayor on 4 of 5 items, or 80%, compared with a council-wide average of 45% alignment on those same measures.
Written by Claude from the sources below · generated October 19, 2026
Monthly since March 2020. Months before May 2023 use the previous ward boundaries.
Permits the Department of Buildings issued, counted by issue date — new construction, renovations, demolitions, electrical, and more. One project can hold several permits.
| Metric | Latest month | Last 12 months | Per 1,000 residents | Rank of 50 | vs a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crime incidents | 245 (Sep 2026) | 2,712 | 47.4 | 36th of 50 | +5.6% |
| Building permits | 32 (Sep 2026) | 345 | 6.0 | 44th of 50 | +23.1% |
| Construction cost | $1.6M (Sep 2026) | $197.5M | $3,450 per resident | 13th of 50 | +316.8% |
| 311 requests | 1,615 (Sep 2026) | 20,526 | 358.7 | 27th of 50 | +14.5% |
| Business licenses | 79 (Sep 2026) | 727 | 12.7 | 7th of 50 | +58.0% |
Council average on the Top 5 since inauguration: 45%
| Date | Item | Vote | Mayor | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 14, 2024 | Levy of real estate taxes for Fiscal Year 2025City Council | Nay | Against | Failed0–50 |
| Sep 18, 2024 | Superintendent of Police directed to enter into and execute new contract or contract extension or renewal for acoustic gunshot detection technology servicesCity Council | Nay | With | Passed33–14 |
| Apr 1, 2024 | Amendment of 2023-2027 Rules of Order and Procedure by removal of Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez as Chair of Committee on Housing and Real EstateCity Council | Nay | With | Failed16–29 |
| Feb 15, 2024 | Adoption of arbitration option in certain police disciplinary casesCity Council | Nay | With | Failed18–32 |
| Nov 7, 2023 | Submission of public question by referendum to Chicago voters for increase in Chicago real estate transfer tax ratesCity Council | Yea | With | Passed32–17 |
Brighton Park is a community area located on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois. It is number 58 of the 77 community areas of Chicago. Wikipedia [1]
McKinley Park, one of the 77 official community areas of Chicago, Illinois, is located on the city's southwest side. Wikipedia [2]
New City is one of Chicago's 77 official community areas, located on the southwest side of the city in the South Side district. It contains the neighborhoods of Canaryville and Back of the Yards. Wikipedia [3]
Julia M. Ramirez
Alderman since 2023
Ward12@cityofchicago.org
(773) 475-6783