Pulling this ward's data…
Pulling this ward's data…
✦ Ward 29
Austin · Galewood
Alderman since 2015
Ward 29 covers part of Chicago's West Side, including the Austin and Galewood areas [1][2]. Austin is one of the city's 77 officially-designated community areas, ranking as the third-largest by population and second-largest geographically [1].
In September 2026, the ward recorded 409 crime incidents, bringing the 12-month total to 4,867, a rank of 19th of 50 wards and an increase of 6.0% compared with a year earlier [3]. Building permits totaled 48 in September 2026, with 467 issued over the last 12 months, ranking 35th of 50 and up 41.2% year over year [4]. Construction cost associated with those permits was $1.6M in September 2026, with a 12-month total of $26.4M, ranking 45th of 50 and down 90.8% from a year earlier [4]. The ward logged 1,597 311 service requests in September 2026, totaling 18,144 over the past 12 months, a rank of 38th of 50 and a rise of 25.7% versus the prior year [5]. Business licenses issued in September 2026 numbered 22, with 368 over the last 12 months, ranking 36th of 50 and down 40.5% from a year earlier [6].
Alderperson Chris Taliaferro represents Ward 29 [7]. On the five Top-5 council items tracked, the office voted with the Mayor on 3 of 5, or 60%, compared with a council average of 45% [7].
Written by Claude from the sources below · generated October 21, 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 | 412 (Sep 2026) | 4,876 | 82.8 | 19th of 50 | +6.7% |
| Building permits | 48 (Sep 2026) | 467 | 7.9 | 33rd of 50 | +41.2% |
| Construction cost | $1.6M (Sep 2026) | $26.4M | $448 per resident | 44th of 50 | -90.8% |
| 311 requests | 1,597 (Sep 2026) | 18,144 | 308.1 | 38th of 50 | +25.7% |
| Business licenses | 22 (Sep 2026) | 368 | 6.2 | 34th of 50 | -40.5% |
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 | Yea | Against | 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 |
Austin is one of the 77 officially-designated community areas of Chicago in Illinois, United States. Located on the city's West Side, it is the third-largest community area by population and the second-largest geographically. Wikipedia [1]
Austin is one of the 77 officially-designated community areas of Chicago in Illinois, United States. Located on the city's West Side, it is the third-largest community area by population and the second-largest geographically. Wikipedia [2]
Chris Taliaferro
Alderman since 2015
Ward29@cityofchicago.org
(773) 237-6460