Chicago business break-ins have been reported on commercial streets across the city since September. Police describe overnight burglaries in which windows or doors are smashed and cash is taken. Here is what the news has reported, and what owners can do.
What Was Reported
- Sep 1, Lakeview: at least 8 businesses on N. Southport, CBS Chicago.
- Sep 25, Hyde Park and Bronzeville: 5 businesses (4 in Hyde Park), FOX 32.
- Oct 4 to 5, Bronzeville and Greater Grand Crossing: at least 8 businesses, FOX 32.
- Oct 13, Old Town: several businesses near N. Wells St. and North Ave., FOX 32. CBS Chicago counted at least 6 that night, from Old Town to Humboldt Park, including one in Wicker Park.
- Oct 14, Northwest Side: at least 23 businesses in Portage Park, Avondale, Logan Square and Wicker Park, Block Club Chicago. CBS Chicago reported more than 20.
- Oct 15, Beverly: 6 businesses on W. 95th St, Block Club Chicago. The alderman said police had taken multiple persons of interest into custody; no charges were reported.
- Oct 27, Lincoln Park: at least 13 businesses on N. Clark, Block Club Chicago and CBS Chicago. CWB Chicago reported more attempts in Wrigleyville and Boystown the same night.
Counts vary by outlet, so these are minimums. Most hits happened overnight, between about 1 a.m. and 7 a.m., and in many cases the same type of business was targeted: restaurants, cafes, salons, dry cleaners and small shops. Police have not tied every incident together.
What Business Owners Can Do
- Cameras: check that they are recording and that the footage is easy to pull. Give it to police.
- Lighting: light the front and the back entrance.
- Glass and locks: secure front and rear doors. Stronger glass can slow a break-in.
- Police report: file one even for a small loss, and keep the report number for your insurer and landlord.
- Chamber and SSA programs: in Lincoln Park, the Clark Street SSA programs list rebates for window and door repairs, cameras and lighting; guard services are not listed. Ask your own chamber or SSA what applies.
- Guards for after-hours: a uniformed guard on site or on patrol gives you a person who is awake and watching when the block is empty. Guards work best with cameras, not instead of them.
Unsure what you need? See armed vs. unarmed guards and what affects the cost of a security guard.
If Your Business Was Hit
- Call 911 if it is happening now. Otherwise file a police report and keep the number.
- Photograph the damage before anything is moved, and list what is missing.
- Board up and repair the glass the same day, then call your insurer and landlord.
- Ask what happened to neighbors on your block. Break-ins often hit several storefronts in one night.
Guards for Storefronts, by Neighborhood
- Lincoln Park security guards
- Lakeview security guards
- Logan Square security guards
- Wicker Park security guards
- Old Town security guards
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Updates
Oct 28, 2026: Reports through this date are included. Later updates are added below this line.
