Chicago City Wire

Petty offenses led to 27 arrests in Chicago in the fourth quarter of 2023, making them the second least common reason for arrests, according to the City of Chicago Data Portal. Data shows that these charges made up 0.3% of total arrests during this period.

The most recurrent charge was class A misdemeanors, with 4,502 arrests.

Minor offenses like shoplifting (under $500), simple battery, and violating domestic violence protective orders fall under Class A misdemeanors in Illinois. Punishments range from up to a year in jail, probation, and fines of $75 to $2,500.

In total, the police department registered 10,469 arrests in the fourth quarter of 2023, a 3.3% decrease from the previous quarter's 10,829. Data also shows that this marks an increase of 28.2% over the same period in 2022, when there were 8,168 cases.

Unclassified charges not leading to imprisonment are classified as business or petty offenses. Typically, these offenses are punishable by fines ranging from $75 to $1,000. However, in rare instances, such as repeated or egregious violations, they may result in short jail terms. Examples of petty offenses include disorderly conduct, simple assault, and minor property offenses.

Chicago's crime rate has skyrocketed since 2021, according to a Chicago Police Department report. Crime complaints have increased by a staggering 75% in the first three quarters of 2023, compared to the same period in 2021.

The city's police force has also shrunk dramatically since Mayor Lori Lightfoot took office in 2019. The number of police officers has decreased by 19%, despite her pledge to increase police numbers. As the police department grapples with fewer officers, the nature and efficacy of crime response, including arrests for petty offenses and other offenses, have inevitably been affected.

Charge type	Q4 2023	Q3 2023	% change
Class A misdemeanors	4,502	4,762	-5.5%
Class 4 felonies	1,537	1,704	-9.8%
Other offenses	1,323	1,571	-15.8%
Class B misdemeanors	780	483	61.5%
Local ordinance violations	608	482	26.1%
Class 3 felonies	474	477	-0.6%
Class 2 felonies	474	555	-14.6%
Class X felonies	312	333	-6.3%
Class C misdemeanors	194	210	-7.6%
Class 1 felonies	169	173	-2.3%
Class M felonies	58	57	1.8%
Petty offenses	27	16	68.8%
Business offenses	11	6	83.3%