Albany Park · Then vs Now
Albany Park: 2025-04 vs 2026-04
A side-by-side look at how Albany Park shifted between two periods.
| 2025-04 | 2026-04 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building permits | 48 | 26 | -46% |
| Construction value ($) | $3,683,592 | $837,635 | -77% |
| New business licenses | 37 | 10 | -73% |
| Business closings (proxy) | 0 | 0 | — |
| 311 service requests | 1,203 | 1,394 | +16% |
| Reported crimes | 165 | 99 | -40% |
| Violent crimes | 52 | 19 | -63% |
| Failed food inspections | 9 | 0 | -100% |
2025-04
Albany Park permit spending hits $3.7 million
Albany Park logged $3.7 million in permit value in April, up from $251,000 in March. Most of the 48 permits—38 of them—went through the express program. New licenses included El Quetzal, a bar, and MG Hair & Beauty Salon. Potholes led 311 complaints at 145, followed by graffiti removal requests at 136. Crime fell 12 percent overall, though violent incidents edged up from 50 to 52. Nine restaurants failed health inspections, three more than in March. No businesses closed.
2026-04
Albany Park crime falls 40% in April
Crime in Albany Park dropped to 99 incidents in April, down from 166 the month before. Violent offenses fell even harder—19 compared to 48. Residents filed 212 pothole complaints, the most common 311 request by far. Ten new businesses opened, including Elvia's Hair Salon, Imperial Driving School, and a retail food spot called Varsha Food. Permits jumped 44% to 26, though their total value dropped by half to $838k. Most permits were express-program jobs—quick fixes, not major builds.
New businesses — 2025-04
- SHAHRZAD INC. (Valet Parking Operator)
- EL QUETZAL LLC (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
- MG HAIR & BEAUTY SALON (Limited Business License)
- The Chicago Condo Concierge (Regulated Business License)
- BAY PRINTER (Limited Business License)
- SUNNYSIDE STOP (Tobacco)
- GREAT SEA RESTAURANT (Retail Food Establishment)
- STARBUCKS COFFEE #13439 (Retail Food Establishment)
- MAGIC EVENTS (Limited Business License)
- DAVID ELECTRONICS (Limited Business License)
New businesses — 2026-04
- LINCOLN SQUARE LOVING CARE (Children's Services Facility License)
- LITTLE FEET BIG STEPS CENTER (Children's Services Facility License)
- ELVIA'S HAIR SALON (Limited Business License)
- IMPERIAL DRIVING SCHOOL (Limited Business License)
- Good karma Home llc (Regulated Business License)
- MI CASA FURNITURE INC. (Limited Business License)
- CITY MART (Tobacco)
- RIDGE WAY TRADING (Tobacco)
- QUIZHPI'S HAIR LLC (Limited Business License)
- VARSHA FOOD (Retail Food Establishment)