City In Review: Chicago

Avondale · Then vs Now

Avondale: 2025-03 vs 2026-03

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

2025-03 2026-03 Change
Building permits 18 22 +22%
Construction value ($) $887,075 $1,349,393 +52%
New business licenses 34 30 -12%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 1,165 1,347 +16%
Reported crimes 157 198 +26%
Violent crimes 26 33 +27%
Failed food inspections 8 2 -75%

2025-03

Avondale's 216 graffiti complaints lead quiet March

Eighteen permits went through in March, up from twelve, but total construction value dropped 21% to $887k. Thirteen permits used the city's express program. Service requests fell 6% overall to 1,165, but graffiti removal topped the list at 216 calls. Tree trim requests hit 146, and pothole complaints came in at 110. Crime climbed 18% to 157 incidents, though violent offenses dropped 32% to 26. Eight food spots failed inspections, up from five. No businesses opened or closed.

2026-03

Graffiti removal calls hit 220 in Avondale

Service requests jumped 35 percent to 1,347 in March, led by 220 graffiti removal calls. Potholes came second at 134, then abandoned vehicles at 117. Thirty new businesses opened, up from 22 the month before—Gorditas Loli's #2, a Shell filling station, and Mother's Ruin among them. Permits rose 47 percent to 22, most of them express permits. Violent crime dropped 13 percent to 33 incidents, though overall crime ticked up 22 percent to 198. Two food establishments failed inspections.

New businesses — 2025-03

  • Airgas Inc (Regulated Business License)
  • VINTAGE HOUSE CHICAGO (Pop-Up Retail User)
  • Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches (Retail Food Establishment)
  • BELMONT SNACK CENTER (Retail Food Establishment)
  • Catalyst Strength LLC (Regulated Business License)
  • Paper Hat, Inc. (Regulated Business License)
  • BRISTOL DELI & LIQUOR (Tobacco)
  • BRISTOL DELI & LIQUOR (Public Place of Amusement)
  • BRISTOL DELI & LIQUOR (Package Goods)
  • BARBER'S CUTZ HAIR STUDIO (Limited Business License)

New businesses — 2026-03

  • VINTAGE HOUSE CHICAGO (Pop-Up Retail User)
  • SHELL (Filling Station)
  • SHELL (Retail Food Establishment)
  • H & R BLOCK TAX SERVICES (Limited Business License)
  • GORDITAS LOLI'S #2 (Retail Food Establishment)
  • DUNKIN DONUTS (Retail Food Establishment)
  • CERTIFIED WINDOW CO INC (Limited Business License)
  • PIXIE & THE BOY (Regulated Business License)
  • CLOUDKITCHENS (Food - Shared Kitchen)
  • MOTHER'S RUIN (Retail Food Establishment)