City In Review: Chicago

Ashburn · Then vs Now

Ashburn: 2024-08 vs 2025-08

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

2024-08 2025-08 Change
Building permits 87 37 -57%
Construction value ($) $920,491 $425,294 -54%
New business licenses 13 9 -31%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 1,264 1,549 +23%
Reported crimes 178 184 +3%
Violent crimes 43 45 +5%
Failed food inspections 2 2 0%

2024-08

Ashburn permit count nearly doubles despite $1.4M value drop

Ashburn logged 87 permits in August, up 93% from July, but their combined value fell 61% to $920k. Eighty-one were express permits—quick paperwork jobs that don't signal major construction. Service requests dropped 27% to 1,264, led by 147 calls about garbage carts. Rodent complaints (77) landed third, behind streetlight outages. Violent crime fell 22% to 43 incidents. No new businesses opened or closed. The permit surge looks like a processing backlog clearing out, not a building boom.

2025-08

Ashburn permit dollars drop 50% to $425k

Permit activity cooled in August—37 permits worth $425k, down from 60 and $853k the month before. Thirty-five were express permits, the routine stuff. Service requests fell 14% to 1,549, with garbage cart maintenance leading at 184, followed by basement water complaints (133) and potholes (100). Violent crime dropped 21% to 45 incidents. Two food establishments failed inspections. No businesses opened or closed.

New businesses — 2024-08

  • KEA EDUCATIONAL SERVICE (Regulated Business License)
  • SSO. MECHANICAL HvAC SOLUTION (Regulated Business License)
  • Buddy Bear Carwash (Limited Business License)
  • G CUSTOM AUTO BODY AND MECHANIC (Motor Vehicle Services License)
  • Jayde suites 2 (Limited Business License)
  • CB MINI MART, CORP. (Tobacco)
  • Transfer MX Inc (Limited Business License)
  • CB MINI MART, CORP. (Retail Food Establishment)
  • AZTECA' S MUFFLERS & BRAKES SHOP II, INC. (Motor Vehicle Services License)
  • ENLISMAR C. ROJAS SALAZAR (Peddler License)

New businesses — 2025-08

  • PUPPY HABERDASHERY PLUS COMPANY (Animal Care License)
  • N DA CUT TATTOO SUPPLIES (Limited Business License)
  • D. HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING INC., (Regulated Business License)
  • SMART WASH LAUNDRY SERVICES (Regulated Business License)
  • CALIBER COLLISION CENTERS (Motor Vehicle Services License)
  • GREAT LOOKS TAILORING AND ALTERATIONS (Regulated Business License)
  • DISCOVERY CLOTHING CO. (Limited Business License)
  • MOUNT CAROL'S FROZEN TREATS LLC (Mobile Food License)
  • Jack in the Box #4220 (Retail Food Establishment)