City In Review: Chicago

Austin · Then vs Now

Austin: 2025-10 vs 2026-10

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

2025-10 2026-10 Change
Building permits 87 0 -100%
Construction value ($) $3,435,993 $0 -100%
New business licenses 47 0 -100%
Business closings (proxy) 1 1 0%
311 service requests 2,515 0 -100%
Reported crimes 927 0 -100%
Violent crimes 364 0 -100%
Failed food inspections 7 0 -100%

2025-10

Austin permit count jumps 32% on express volume

Austin logged 87 permits in October, up from 66 the month before. Sixty-three came through the city's express program—quick fixes, mostly. Total construction value dropped sharply to $3.4 million, down from $18.7 million in September. Eleven renovation permits and eight sign permits rounded out the month. No new business licenses were issued.

2026-10

Austin logs quiet October

October was quiet in Austin. One business closed, but no permits came in, no new businesses opened, and service requests were at zero. Crime and food inspection failures also hit zero for the month.

New businesses — 2025-10

  • JAB ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION, LLC (Regulated Business License)
  • MADISON TOBACCO INC. (Limited Business License)
  • NEW SOUND CAFE LLC (Retail Food Establishment)
  • CICERO FOODS (Retail Food Establishment)
  • PS! STUDIOS LLC (Limited Business License)
  • NXX LVL FITNESS LLC (Regulated Business License)
  • CHICAGO SUNNY GYRO (Retail Food Establishment)
  • QUEEN NAILS 9, LTD (Limited Business License)
  • LEVEL UP BEAUTY BAR (Limited Business License)
  • 7 DAYS FOOD MART (Tobacco)