City In Review: Chicago

Albany Park · Then vs Now

Albany Park: 2024-08 vs 2025-08

A side-by-side look at how Albany Park shifted between two periods.

2024-08 2025-08 Change
Building permits 33 34 +3%
Construction value ($) $1,556,844 $1,002,065 -36%
New business licenses 36 37 +3%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 1,165 1,398 +20%
Reported crimes 180 221 +23%
Violent crimes 54 59 +9%
Failed food inspections 4 5 +25%

2024-08

Albany Park permit spending doubles despite fewer projects

Thirty-three permits in August pulled $1.56 million, more than twice July's spend even though the neighborhood filed five fewer applications. The jump came without a clear anchor—no single mega-project shows up in the data. Express permits led the count at 16, followed by nine renovation jobs. Crime dropped 22%, with violent offenses down by a third. Service requests fell 24%, though rodent complaints and yard-waste pickups each landed at 90, nearly tied. Four food establishments failed inspections, down from nine.

2025-08

Albany Park adds 37 new businesses, permit value drops 65%

Albany Park licensed 37 new businesses in August, up 54% from July. Among them: Amande Dessert, a retail food spot, and Tamales Norma, a shared kitchen user. Permit value fell sharply to just over $1 million, down from $2.8 million the month before, even though the number of permits dipped only slightly. Most permits (22 of 34) came through the express program. Service requests ticked up 8%, led by yard waste pickups, rodent complaints, and graffiti removal requests—each topping 118 calls. Crime rose 10%, with violent offenses up modestly from 57 to 59.

New businesses — 2024-08

  • ELITE MASSAGE (Limited Business License)
  • CUT CUTS (Limited Business License)
  • PEREZ SALES INC (Limited Business License)
  • IMA'S (Retail Food Establishment)
  • SABORCITO ECUATORIANO (Retail Food Establishment)
  • POLLO CAMPERO (Retail Food Establishment)
  • ZACHARY A. DESIGN (Manufacturing Establishments)
  • LA FITNESS - CHICAGO - FOSTER (Regulated Business License)
  • It's Lit Studio Yoga + Fitness (Regulated Business License)
  • A. FAVORITE DESIGN, INC. (Manufacturing Establishments)

New businesses — 2025-08

  • AMANDE DESSERT (Retail Food Establishment)
  • SK AUTO BODY REPAIR (Motor Vehicle Services License)
  • TAMALES NORMA (Shared Kitchen User (Long Term))
  • ANTEPLI TURKISH GOURMET (Special Event Food)
  • AUTOMOBILE REPAIR (Motor Vehicle Services License)
  • ZACHARY A. DESIGN (Manufacturing Establishments)
  • VIA EXPRESS U.S. INC. (Limited Business License)
  • VIA EXPRESS U.S., INC. (Limited Business License)
  • PRONTOMEX II INC. (Limited Business License)
  • LA PIRAMIDE RESTAURANT CORPORATION (Retail Food Establishment)