Pulling this ward's data…
Pulling this ward's data…
✦ Ward 44
Lake View · Wrigleyville
Alderman since 2023
Ward 44 spans part of Chicago's North Side, encompassing the Lake View community area, bordered by West Diversey Parkway to the south, West Irving Park Road and West Montrose Avenue to the north, North Ravenswood Avenue to the west, and Lake Michigan to the east [1]. The ward includes the Wrigleyville area within this broader section of the city [2].
In Ward 44, crime incidents totaled 285 in September 2026, with 3,827 recorded over the last 12 months, ranking 25th of 50 wards, down 11.8% from a year earlier [3]. Building permits numbered 65 in September 2026, totaling 667 over the past year, ranking 15th of 50, an increase of 10.2% compared to a year ago [4]. Construction cost associated with those permits reached $5.8M in September 2026, with $150.9M over the last 12 months, ranking 16th of 50, a decrease of 40.5% from a year earlier [4]. 311 service requests totaled 1,358 in September 2026, with 17,367 over the last 12 months, ranking 40th of 50, up 31.0% from a year ago [5]. Business licenses issued numbered 47 in September 2026, with 713 over the past year, ranking 10th of 50, down 33.8% compared to a year earlier [6].
Ward 44 is represented by Alderperson Bennett R. Lawson [7]. On the Top-5 items tracked for council voting, Lawson voted with the Mayor on 1 of 5, or 20%, compared with a council average of 45% on the same measures.
Written by Claude from the sources below · generated October 22, 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 | 288 (Sep 2026) | 3,834 | 69.7 | 25th of 50 | -10.8% |
| Building permits | 65 (Sep 2026) | 667 | 12.1 | 15th of 50 | +10.2% |
| Construction cost | $5.8M (Sep 2026) | $142.3M | $2,586 per resident | 16th of 50 | -40.5% |
| 311 requests | 1,358 (Sep 2026) | 17,367 | 315.6 | 40th of 50 | +31.0% |
| Business licenses | 47 (Sep 2026) | 713 | 13.0 | 10th of 50 | -33.8% |
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 |
Lake View is one of the 77 community areas of Chicago in Illinois, United States. It is located on the city's North Side and is bordered by West Diversey Parkway on the south, West Irving Park Road and West Montrose Ave on the north, North Ravenswood Avenue on the west, and the shore of Lake Michigan on the east. Wikipedia [1]
Lake View is one of the 77 community areas of Chicago in Illinois, United States. It is located on the city's North Side and is bordered by West Diversey Parkway on the south, West Irving Park Road and West Montrose Ave on the north, North Ravenswood Avenue on the west, and the shore of Lake Michigan on the east. Wikipedia [2]
Bennett R. Lawson
Alderman since 2023
Ward44@cityofchicago.org
(773) 525-6034