Pulling this ward's data…
Pulling this ward's data…
✦ Ward 34
West Loop · Loop · Little Italy, UIC
Alderman since 2023
Ward 34 spans parts of Chicago's central and near-west areas, including the Near West Side, bounded by Kinzie Street, the Chicago River, 16th Street, and the former CNW tracks [1], as well as the Loop, the city's central business district and the second-largest business district in North America [2]. It also includes Little Italy, bounded by Ashland Avenue, Interstate 90/94, the Eisenhower Expressway, and Roosevelt [3].
In Ward 34, crime incidents totaled 555 in September 2026, with 6,625 recorded over the last 12 months, ranking 14th of 50 wards and down 9.8% from a year earlier [4]. Building permits numbered 103 in September 2026, totaling 1,370 over the last 12 months, ranking 2nd of 50, though down 15.6% from a year ago [5]. Construction costs reached $162.7M in September 2026, with $680.0M over the last 12 months, ranking 4th of 50 and up 526.2% from a year earlier [5]. 311 requests totaled 868 in September 2026, with 9,883 over the last 12 months, ranking 50th of 50 and up 24.7% from a year ago [6]. Business licenses numbered 118 in September 2026, totaling 1,555 over the last 12 months, ranking 3rd of 50 and up 31.1% from a year earlier [7].
Alderperson William Conway represents the ward through the Ward 34 office [8]. On the Top-5 council items tracked, Conway voted with the Mayor on 1 of 5, or 20%, compared with a council average of 45% [9].
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 | 556 (Sep 2026) | 6,627 | 143.8 | 14th of 50 | -9.6% |
| Building permits | 103 (Sep 2026) | 1,370 | 29.7 | 2nd of 50 | -15.6% |
| Construction cost | $162.7M (Sep 2026) | $680.0M | $14,760 per resident | 4th of 50 | +526.2% |
| 311 requests | 868 (Sep 2026) | 9,883 | 214.5 | 50th of 50 | +24.7% |
| Business licenses | 118 (Sep 2026) | 1,555 | 33.8 | 3rd of 50 | +31.1% |
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 | Yea | Against | 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 | Nay | Against | Passed32–17 |
The Near West Side is one of the 77 community areas of Chicago in Illinois, United States. It is adjacent to the Loop on the city's West Side, bounded by Kinzie Street on the north, the Chicago River on the east, 16th Street on the south, and the former CNW tracks on the west. Wikipedia [1]
The Loop is Chicago's central business district and one of the 77 municipally-designated community areas of Chicago in Illinois, United States. Located at the center of downtown Chicago on the shores of Lake Michigan, it is the second-largest business district in North America, after Downtown and Midtown Manhattan in New York City, New York. Wikipedia [2]
Little Italy, sometimes combined with University Village into one neighborhood, is on the Near West Side of Chicago, Illinois. The current boundaries of Little Italy are Ashland Avenue on the west and Interstate 90/94 on the east, the Eisenhower Expressway on the north and Roosevelt to the south. Wikipedia [3]
William Conway
Alderman since 2023
Ward34@cityofchicago.org
(312) 744-6820