City In Review: Chicago

Belmont Cragin · Then vs Now

Belmont Cragin: 2024-09 vs 2025-09

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

2024-09 2025-09 Change
Building permits 39 36 -8%
Construction value ($) $989,463 $1,597,581 +61%
New business licenses 44 34 -23%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 1,636 1,915 +17%
Reported crimes 425 354 -17%
Violent crimes 139 117 -16%
Failed food inspections 9 5 -44%

2024-09

Belmont Cragin permit value jumps to $989k

Belmont Cragin logged $989,463 in permit work in September, up 22% from August's $810,347, even though the number of permits dropped from 47 to 39. Most of that activity was express permits — 33 of them — which tend to be smaller jobs that don't require full review. Two sign permits and two renovation permits rounded out the roster. No new businesses opened or closed during the month.

2025-09

Belmont Cragin permit value drops 84% to $1.6 million

Permit dollars in Belmont Cragin fell from $9.9 million in August to $1.6 million in September, an 84% drop, even as the count slipped just 25% to 36. Express permits dominated (25 of 36), suggesting smaller-scale work. Residents filed 227 abandoned vehicle complaints, the top 311 category, and 167 garbage cart requests. Service requests overall dropped 32% to 1,915. Violent crime ticked up 5% to 117 incidents, while total crime dipped slightly to 354. Five food establishments failed inspections.

New businesses — 2024-09

  • Cricket Wireless (Limited Business License)
  • Regional Auto Group Inc. (Limited Business License)
  • LT BARBER SHOP LLC (Limited Business License)
  • SPICY BEE (Retail Food Establishment)
  • DRAG CITY (Limited Business License)
  • MBC MOBILE I (Limited Business License)
  • SUPERIOR WINES AND SPIRITS (Tobacco)
  • SAFER FOUNDATION (Limited Business License)
  • ONE STOP AUTO INC. (Motor Vehicle Services License)
  • CN AUTO REPAIR SERVICES (Motor Vehicle Services License)

New businesses — 2025-09

  • Renegade Dog Services LLC (Animal Care License)
  • ADVANCED ON-SITE CONCRETE (Limited Business License)
  • ONE STOP BARBERS & STYLISTS LLC (Limited Business License)
  • BIG C MART (Retail Food Establishment)
  • Equilibrium International Corp (Limited Business License)
  • Jimmy John's (Retail Food Establishment)
  • AZTECA'S AUTO MUFFLERS & BRAKES SHOP III, INC. (Motor Vehicle Services License)
  • GR TAX SERVICE (Limited Business License)
  • OLIMPICO MUFFLER & BRAKES, INC. (Motor Vehicle Services License)
  • ORGANICLIFE (Retail Food Establishment)