City In Review: Chicago

East Side · Then vs Now

East Side: 2024-06 vs 2025-06

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

2024-06 2025-06 Change
Building permits 7 19 +171%
Construction value ($) $143,910 $234,093 +63%
New business licenses 6 2 -67%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 632 590 -7%
Reported crimes 114 110 -4%
Violent crimes 38 34 -11%
Failed food inspections 0 0

2024-06

East Side crime jumps 27% in June

Crime reports in East Side rose to 114 in June, up from 90 the prior month. Violent offenses climbed even faster—38 cases, a 46% jump. Service requests dropped 6%, with garbage cart maintenance (67 requests) and streetlight complaints (47) leading the list. Permit activity held steady at seven filings, though their combined value dipped slightly to $144k. Six of those permits came through the city's express program. No new businesses opened or closed.

2025-06

East Side permits jump 36%, violent crime drops a quarter

Permits in East Side climbed from 14 to 19 in June, pushing the total value to $234k. Eighteen of those were express permits—quick interior jobs or sign installs that don't need full plan review. Violent crime fell 24%, from 45 incidents to 34. Overall crime dipped 11%. Service requests ticked down 3% to 590, with garbage cart maintenance leading at 53 calls, followed by graffiti removal and abandoned vehicle complaints. No new businesses opened and none closed during the month.

New businesses — 2024-06

  • Gerardo's Auto Repair (Motor Vehicle Services License)
  • TACOS EL REY (Special Event Food)
  • FEDERICO CASTILLO LAWN CARE (Regulated Business License)
  • TACOS CASTILLO 1, INC. (Retail Food Establishment)
  • PARTY LINENS (Limited Business License)
  • PROSPERITY TREATS (Shared Kitchen User (Short Term))

New businesses — 2025-06

  • HERNANDEZ COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR (Motor Vehicle Services License)
  • BIG PAWN, INC. (Pawnbroker)