City In Review: Chicago

Belmont Cragin · Then vs Now

Belmont Cragin: 2025-02 vs 2026-02

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

2025-02 2026-02 Change
Building permits 23 16 -30%
Construction value ($) $17,722,790 $703,542 -96%
New business licenses 34 36 +6%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 1,550 1,885 +22%
Reported crimes 270 292 +8%
Violent crimes 70 92 +31%
Failed food inspections 8 11 +38%

2025-02

Belmont Cragin permit value spikes to $17.7M

Belmont Cragin logged 23 permits in February, down from 35 in January, but their combined value hit $17.7 million — a forty-fold jump from the prior month's $404,000. That's a 4,280% spike, driven by one or more high-dollar projects not itemized in the public record. Fourteen permits ran through the express program; eight others covered signs, renovations, and demolition. No new businesses opened.

2026-02

Belmont Cragin 311 calls up 75%, violent crime doubles

Belmont Cragin's 311 requests jumped 75% to 1,885 in February, led by 284 tree-trim calls and 259 abandoned-vehicle complaints. Violent crime doubled from 51 to 92 incidents, part of an overall crime increase to 292 cases. Permit value crashed 81% to $704k despite holding steady at 16 permits—most were express jobs. New businesses included El Asadero Colombiano #3, a Colombian restaurant, and Outlaw Motor Company. Food inspection failures nearly tripled to 11.

New businesses — 2025-02

  • City Glow Beauty Salon INC (Limited Business License)
  • MERCHANDISE 4 LESS (Limited Business License)
  • Renegade Dog Services LLC (Animal Care License)
  • FRESH MARKETPLACE (Retail Food Establishment)
  • MAVIS TIRES & BRAKES (Motor Vehicle Services License)
  • BREAKFAST HOUSE (Retail Food Establishment)
  • MARIA G. CORREA (Peddler License)
  • BLUE KANGAROO INC (Regulated Business License)
  • UNITED GRILL (Retail Food Establishment)
  • NANCY'S BEAUTY SALON P.C (Limited Business License)

New businesses — 2026-02

  • OUTLAW MOTOR COMPANY (Limited Business License)
  • EL ASADERO COLOMBIANO # 3 (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
  • EL ASADERO COLOMBIANO # 3 (Retail Food Establishment)
  • FLORERIA Y NOVEDADES ESPERANZA (Limited Business License)
  • MR KLEEN AUTO SPA (Limited Business License)
  • DUNKIN DONUTS BASKIN ROBBINS (Retail Food Establishment)
  • TARGET #1924 (Package Goods)
  • TARGET #1924 (Retail Food Establishment)
  • STAR EAST (Retail Food Establishment)
  • BOLIDOS AUTO REBUILDERS LLC (Motor Vehicle Services License)