There are approximately 40 major active street gangs operating within the Chicago area. Gang structures vary from gang to gang. Structure depends on size of membership and the extent of illegal activity the gang is involved with. The structure below depicts a well organized street gang.

Click on any organizational unit to view a brief description of that unit.

Notes:

1. Gangs are organized, functioning under a designated hierarchy, which may resemble the internal structure of a corporation.

2. Not all gangs have a definitive leader. They are sometimes ruled by a council of leaders representing each faction.

3. A faction will have a separate leader and group of officers. They may use the same name, an altered name, or adopt an entirely new name.