Dark street? Report it straight to 311. Offendr gets your streetlight report to Chicago's repair crews in seconds — and shows you everything else your neighbors are flagging on the map.
Broken streetlights are a safety issue, not just an inconvenience. Chicago targets repairs within 3 business days — but only if the outage is reported. Offendr makes that fast.
Quick email sign-in, then you're set. Your GPS location pins automatically when you open the report screen.
Chicago streetlight poles have identification numbers. Including it in your report notes helps crews find the exact pole faster. Offendr's GPS pin handles location even without a pole number.
Your report goes directly to Chicago 311 via the Open311 API. You get a service request number immediately.
Offendr polls 311 and updates your report status automatically — from Open to In Progress to Completed.
Reporting an issue takes seconds. Offendr keeps you connected to everything else happening in your neighborhood — the problems, the projects, and the people fixing things.
See every active report near you on a live map. Check before you file — if the issue is already reported, confirm it with a tap rather than creating a duplicate. Multiple confirmations carry more weight with the city.
Always onNeighbors can start community projects — a block cleanup, a park restoration — and invite others to join. Projects live on the map and move from active to completed when the work is done. The civic coordination 311 can't provide.
Organize togetherReal local Chicago news surfaced by proximity to what you're already looking at on the map. No algorithm optimizing for outrage — just what's happening near you from Block Club Chicago, the Tribune, NBC Chicago and more.
Stay informedLocal volunteer opportunities from Chicago organizations surfaced alongside neighborhood incidents. Park cleanups, community gardens, mutual aid networks. The good things happening on your block deserve the same visibility as the problems.
Give backCommunity members share events pinned to the map — block parties, neighborhood meetings, local fundraisers. Your neighborhood's calendar, built by the people who actually live there.
What's on near youChicago maintains over 270,000 streetlights across 3,800 miles of city streets — one of the largest municipal lighting networks in the country. The city's Department of Transportation handles repairs and targets a 3 business day turnaround for reported outages, though complex repairs or infrastructure issues can take longer.
Broken streetlights matter beyond convenience. Research consistently links poor street lighting to increased pedestrian accidents, vehicle crime, and personal safety incidents — particularly in residential alleys. A dark block isn't just an annoyance; it's a documented safety risk. That's why Chicago treats streetlight repairs as a priority 311 service.
When reporting, include the pole identification number if you can see it — it's usually a metal tag on the pole itself. This isn't required (Offendr's GPS pin handles location), but it speeds up the process by letting crews identify the exact pole in their database without a site visit.
If multiple streetlights on the same block are out, file a separate report for each one. Each report generates its own service request, which means each gets tracked and resolved independently. Offendr's map shows you if other outages in the area have already been reported.
Beyond streetlights, Offendr routes reports for potholes, graffiti, abandoned vehicles, illegal dumping, and flooding — all from the same app.
Everything you need to know.
Report that dark street, see what's happening nearby, and stay connected to the people keeping Chicago's neighborhoods safe after dark.
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