City In Review: Chicago

Edgewater · Then vs Now

Edgewater: 2025-03 vs 2026-03

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

2025-03 2026-03 Change
Building permits 36 45 +25%
Construction value ($) $1,902,585 $9,454,611 +397%
New business licenses 25 17 -32%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 1,004 1,299 +29%
Reported crimes 248 201 -19%
Violent crimes 69 58 -16%
Failed food inspections 6 2 -67%

2025-03

Edgewater permit count up 50%, but value plummets

Edgewater logged 36 permits in March, up from 24 the month before, but total value dropped 79% to $1.9 million. Nearly two-thirds (23) came through the express permit program, with seven renovation permits and three each for signs and elevator work making up most of the rest. Whatever big-ticket project drove February's $8.9 million total didn't repeat. No new businesses opened, none closed, and the rest of the data didn't budge.

2026-03

Pothole complaints triple in Edgewater, 311 requests soar

Service requests hit 1,299 in March—69% above February—led by 143 pothole complaints, 113 graffiti removal requests, and 105 tree trim requests. Permits rose to 45 (mostly express permits), worth $9.5 million combined. New business licenses fell to 17 from 25. Arrivals included Penelope's Vegan Taqueria #2, Out on Faith Learning Center, and liquor service at The Edge Theater. Crime inched up to 201 incidents; violent offenses rose to 58. Two food establishments failed inspections, down from five.

New businesses — 2025-03

  • ERICA LOVE WATSON (Peddler License)
  • Anytime Fitness Broadway (Regulated Business License)
  • HEART O CHICAGO (Regulated Business License)
  • SINTHYA LAVADO ARROYO (Regulated Business License)
  • Solar Intentions (Limited Business License)
  • HOLLYWOOD (Commercial Garage)
  • MAS ALLA DEL SOL (Retail Food Establishment)
  • PAPER AND PENCIL, LLC (Limited Business License)
  • TAMASHII RAMEN (Retail Food Establishment)
  • SPA BEAUTIFY (Limited Business License)

New businesses — 2026-03

  • H & R BLOCK (Limited Business License)
  • THE EDGE THEATER / THE EDGE OFF BROADWAY (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
  • PENELOPE'S VEGAN TAQUERIA #2 (Retail Food Establishment)
  • THE SHERWIN WILLIAMS CO #3022 (Limited Business License)
  • PENELOPE'S VEGAN TAQUERIA #2 (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
  • OUT ON FAITH LEARNING CENTER, INC. (Children's Services Facility License)
  • DIGNISSIM ACCOUNTING (Regulated Business License)
  • JEWEL FOOD STORE #3443 (Retail Food Establishment)
  • JEWEL FOOD STORE #3407 (Retail Food Establishment)
  • OSCO DRUG STORE #3407 (Tobacco)