East Garfield Park · Then vs Now
East Garfield Park: 2025-03 vs 2026-03
A side-by-side look at how East Garfield Park shifted between two periods.
| 2025-03 | 2026-03 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building permits | 17 | 28 | +65% |
| Construction value ($) | $1,620,383 | $7,078,987 | +337% |
| New business licenses | 13 | 14 | +8% |
| Business closings (proxy) | 0 | 0 | — |
| 311 service requests | 604 | 748 | +24% |
| Reported crimes | 290 | 261 | -10% |
| Violent crimes | 94 | 93 | -1% |
| Failed food inspections | 5 | 11 | +120% |
2025-03
East Garfield Park permits drop to $1.6M
Permit activity in East Garfield Park fell sharply in March, with just 17 permits issued worth $1.6 million—down from $5.5 million the month before. Most were express permits (nine total), followed by five renovation projects. Two new construction permits and one elevator job rounded out the month. No new businesses opened or closed.
2026-03
East Garfield Park permit value jumps to $7.1 million
Permit value in East Garfield Park hit $7.1 million in March, up 80% from February's $3.9 million. The 28 permits included 18 through the express program. New businesses included Shirley's Food Kitchen on Wheels, a mobile vendor, and Asah Wellness. United Food Mart and M&C Food, Deli & Tobacco both picked up retail food and tobacco licenses. Food inspection failures nearly tripled, from four to eleven. Service requests climbed 22%, led by abandoned vehicle complaints and fly dumping reports. Violent crime ticked up slightly, from 84 incidents to 93.
New businesses — 2025-03
- LINDSEY'S ICE CREAM (Shared Kitchen User (Long Term))
- JESSE ROBINSON (Peddler License)
- TASTY CHICAGO (Mobile Food License)
- YMCA MARSHALL FAMILY DEV CENT (Children's Services Facility License)
- DR. EFFIE O. ELLIS YMCA HEAD START (Children's Services Facility License)
- YMCA GARFILED FAMILY DEVELOPMENT CENTER (Children's Services Facility License)
- GREENLINE CONVENIENCE & TOBACCO (Tobacco)
- T&J FOOD SERVICES LLC (Mobile Food License)
- M&C FOOD, DELI & TOBACCO (Tobacco)
- PASSION HOUSE COFFEE ROASTER INC. (Wholesale Food Establishment)
New businesses — 2026-03
- ROUTE 66 MOBILE DINER VIN #: 1GBHP32Z4N3316149 PLATE #: 160801C (Special Event Food)
- SAUSAGE FEST VIN: IFC2E3KLOBDA37113; PLATE NO. 508475D (Special Event Food)
- WILLIE P'S BBQ & CATERING VIN # 4UZAAPBW85CV11131 ; PLATE # 210724H (Special Event Food)
- ASAH WELLNESS (Regulated Business License)
- SHIRLEY'S FOOD KITCHEN ON WHEELS (Mobile Food License)
- ONE WAY FAST FOOD & GROCERY INC. (Tobacco)
- UNITED FOOD MART (Tobacco)
- UNITED FOOD MART (Retail Food Establishment)
- M&C FOOD, DELI & TOBACCO (Retail Food Establishment)
- M&C FOOD, DELI & TOBACCO (Tobacco)