Pulling this ward's data…
Pulling this ward's data…
✦ Ward 50
West Ridge · North Park
Alderman since 2011
Ward 50 encompasses parts of West Ridge [1] and North Park [2], two community areas on Chicago's North Side. West Ridge is historically a middle-class neighborhood on the far North Side [1], while North Park is bordered by the North Shore Channel, the Chicago River's North Branch, Foster Avenue, Cicero Avenue, and Devon Avenue [2].
Crime incidents totaled 190 in September 2026, with 2,359 recorded over the last 12 months, ranking 46th of 50 wards and down 20.8% from a year earlier [3]. Building permits reached 42 in September 2026, totaling 376 over the last 12 months, ranking 43rd of 50, up 20.0% from a year ago [4]. Construction cost associated with those permits was $2.4M in September 2026, with $39.3M over the last 12 months, ranking 33rd of 50 and up 42.2% year-over-year [4]. The ward recorded 1,232 311 service requests in September 2026, totaling 15,798 over the last 12 months, ranking 41st of 50 and up 21.0% from a year earlier [5]. Business licenses issued numbered 31 in September 2026, with 347 over the last 12 months, ranking 43rd of 50, down 35.4% from a year ago [6].
Ward 50 is represented by Alderperson Debra L. Silverstein [7]. On the five Top-5 council items tracked, the office voted with the Mayor on 1 of 5, or 20%, compared with a council average of 45% [8].
Written by Claude from the sources below · generated October 23, 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 | 192 (Sep 2026) | 2,360 | 39.0 | 46th of 50 | -20.0% |
| Building permits | 42 (Sep 2026) | 376 | 6.2 | 43rd of 50 | +20.0% |
| Construction cost | $2.4M (Sep 2026) | $39.3M | $651 per resident | 33rd of 50 | +42.2% |
| 311 requests | 1,232 (Sep 2026) | 15,798 | 261.4 | 41st of 50 | +21.0% |
| Business licenses | 31 (Sep 2026) | 347 | 5.7 | 42nd of 50 | -35.4% |
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 | Yea | Against | 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 |
West Ridge is one of the 77 community areas of Chicago in Illinois, United States. It is historically a middle-class neighborhood located on the far North Side of the City of Chicago. Wikipedia [1]
North Park is one of the 77 community areas of Chicago in Illinois, United States. It is bordered by the North Shore Channel on the east, the Chicago River's North Branch and Foster Avenue on the south, it reaches as far as Cicero Avenue on the west and Devon Avenue on the north. Wikipedia [2]
Debra L. Silverstein
Alderman since 2011
Ward50@cityofchicago.org
(773) 262-1050