Members remain together in quiet times as well as in conflict. In response to this twisted loyalty, members are rewarded by being accepted and recognized as a gang member. The main source of income for most gangs is narcotics. Members of all ages are used by the gang in the illegal sale of narcotics and other unlawful activities. It is a mistaken belief that gangs only operate in less affluent neighborhoods.
Gangs exist in virtually every community in Chicago.
The alliances are not aligned along traditional racial boundaries, and both contain black, white, and Hispanic street gangs. Both alliances are alive and well on Chicago's streets, and in most cases are bitter rivals. Gangs use a variety of methods to recruit new members, targeting in recent years younger and younger members because of the less stringent penalties juvenile offenders are usually subjected to. Gangs actively recruit youngsters age 15 and younger to carry out risky assignments or carry the weapons or drugs. Females are also recruited and influenced into similar activities.