Found an item? Your responsibilities

What to do when you find someone else's property — your responsibilities and how to return it safely.

Found something in Chicago? Handling it responsibly protects both you and the owner. Rules vary by location, but the principles are consistent.

Make a reasonable effort to find the owner. Check for ID, contact details, or anything that identifies who it belongs to.
Don't assume it's yours to keep. Keeping found property without trying to return it can have legal consequences. When in doubt, hand it in.
Hand valuables to the authorities. Report significant or high-value finds to the police non-emergency line for Chicago; they'll log it and may issue a reference.
Store it safely. Keep the item secure and unchanged while you try to return it.
Post a found listing. Add a found-item listing for Chicago with enough detail for the real owner to identify it — while holding back one verifying detail.

Helpful resources for Chicago

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Chicago

found B

Found person seeking family to reunite

FOUND: Where did he come from? Where did he go? Where did he come from? Poly-no-cotton-eyed Bee. @squishables, I found someone and am looking for their home. His (or her?) family can contact me with these details and we can ask him (or her) if it's accurate. How old am I? Where did I get lost at? What time did I get lost? How many tattoos and piercings do I have?

Chicago about 1 month ago

found A

Black 28-inch Samsonite suitcase with red tag

I found a black 28-inch Samsonite hard-shell suitcase this afternoon around 3:15pm on Adams Street near Union Station in Chicago. It's a bit scuffed on the corners but otherwise in decent shape, with two small stickers on the lid from a local soccer club. There’s a bright red luggage tag with the initials 'M.T.' and a blue fabric strap inside the main compartment that should help identify the owner. If this belongs to you, I’d love to help get it back—let’s meet downtown or figure out safe delivery.

Chicago about 1 month ago

found P

Green budgie with blue tail and leg band 24

I found a small green budgie this afternoon around 4:15pm near the Navy Pier entrance on Grand Ave and Lake Shore Drive. It has a bright yellow face, blue tail feathers, and a blue leg band marked with the number 24. The bird seems tame and chirps a bit when I talk to it, so I stayed close and kept it on my forearm for a minute to calm it down. If anyone recognizes this bird, I’m happy to help reunite it with its owner through the app—it's clearly someone's cherished pet and looks well cared for.

Chicago about 2 months ago

found A

Gray Patagonia parka with fur hood found near Millennium Park

I found this gray Patagonia parka this afternoon around 3:15pm, lying on the pavement just outside the Millennium Park entrance on Columbus Drive. It's a men's size Large, with a soft gray shell and a black fur-trimmed hood that really pops in the crowd. The inside label shows 'Patagonia, Men's L' and there’s a tiny pine-tree patch sewn near the left pocket that’s easy to spot. I checked the pockets for a name tag, but nothing turned up. If this is yours, drop a note on the listing and we can arrange a safe pickup near Millennium Park.

Chicago 3 months ago

found P

Found brindle terrier with red collar near Navy Pier

I found a dog this afternoon around 3:15 pm wandering near the riverwalk by the Navy Pier entrance in Chicago. It's a brindle terrier, about mid-size, roughly 28 pounds, with a bright red nylon collar and a blue ID tag that reads 'MILO.' The coat is a bit dirty from the walk, and he has a small white patch on his chest. He seems friendly and leash-trained, and responds when I call 'Milo.' I checked for a microchip at a nearby clinic but didn't see any registry; if this is your pup, send me a message here and we can verify and get him home.

Chicago 3 months ago

found P

Silver Seiko watch found near Millennium Park

I found a silver Seiko stainless steel watch with a black dial this afternoon around 2:45 PM near the north entrance of Millennium Park on Michigan Ave. It's in good shape overall, with minor scratches on the bezel and a small scuff on the clasp from being on the ground, but the crystal is clean and readable. The watch has two unique identifiers: initials 'J.R.' engraved on the back and a tiny dent near the 3 o'clock marker. If the owner spots this, I'm happy to meet near the park entrance to reunite it—it's a really nice piece and I hate to see it go missing.

Chicago 4 months ago