City In Review: Chicago

Avondale · Then vs Now

Avondale: 2025-02 vs 2026-02

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

2025-02 2026-02 Change
Building permits 12 15 +25%
Construction value ($) $1,125,094 $995,873 -11%
New business licenses 24 22 -8%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 1,242 998 -20%
Reported crimes 133 163 +23%
Violent crimes 38 38 0%
Failed food inspections 5 1 -80%

2025-02

Avondale permit value jumps to $1.1M

Avondale issued 12 permits in February, down from 19 the month before, but their total value climbed 33% to about $1.1 million. Nine permits came through the express program. The neighborhood didn't log any new business licenses, closures, or 311 requests this month.

2026-02

Portillo's and Wingstop open as Avondale permits slide 27%

Avondale added 22 business licenses in February, including Portillo's (with an outdoor patio) and Wingstop. Belmont Tavern also opened. Permits fell from 20 to 15, total construction value down 27% to just under $1 million. Ten of those permits came through the express program. Graffiti removal requests led 311 calls at 248, followed by 86 pothole complaints. Violent crime rose from 35 to 38 incidents; overall crime dropped 4%. Food inspection failures went from six to one.

New businesses — 2025-02

  • PAKU PAKU SUSHI (Retail Food Establishment)
  • TOP SHELF (Package Goods)
  • FULCRUM STRATEGY CONSULTANTS, LLC (Regulated Business License)
  • SPINXPRESS (Regulated Business License)
  • DIAZ GROUP, LLC (Limited Business License)
  • HERBALIFE (Limited Business License)
  • JEK DEVELOPMENT LLC (Regulated Business License)
  • KINDNET, LLC (Regulated Business License)
  • Petco #1991 (Animal Care License)
  • VIRGILIO CHAVEZ (Peddler License)

New businesses — 2026-02

  • BELMONT TAVERN (Tavern)
  • 7-ELEVEN #36718B (Tobacco)
  • TARGET STORE #1437 (Retail Food Establishment)
  • AVONDALE AUTO REPAIR (Motor Vehicle Services License)
  • TARGET STORE #1437 (Package Goods)
  • KIMBALL BP (Tobacco)
  • WINGSTOP RESTAURANT (Retail Food Establishment)
  • Portillo's (Retail Food Establishment)
  • CVS PHARMACY # 16771 (Limited Business License)
  • Portillo's (Outdoor Patio)