City In Review: Chicago

Irving Park · Then vs Now

Irving Park: 2025-04 vs 2026-04

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

2025-04 2026-04 Change
Building permits 51 67 +31%
Construction value ($) $3,143,320 $4,130,523 +31%
New business licenses 40 16 -60%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 1,478 1,835 +24%
Reported crimes 178 143 -20%
Violent crimes 50 34 -32%
Failed food inspections 4 0 -100%

2025-04

Irving Park permit value drops 67% despite more filings

Irving Park pulled 51 permits in April, up 16% from March, but total dollar value cratered from $9.4 million to $3.1 million. Most permits were quick express jobs—37 of the 51—rather than big-ticket construction. The neighborhood logged 1,478 service requests, nearly flat with the prior month. Graffiti removal led the pack at 182 calls, followed by tree trim requests and pothole complaints. Crime fell 7% overall and violent offenses dropped 15%. Four food establishments failed inspections, double the March count.

2026-04

Irving Park permits jump 52% on express filings

Irving Park logged 67 permits in April, up from 44 the month before. Most of that growth came from express permits—37 in all—followed by 13 sign permits. Total permit value hit $4.1 million, a 17% climb. Crime dropped 26%, with violent offenses down from 41 to 34. New businesses included Caro Accounting, Payroll & Tax Services and Mayfair Massage Acupuncture Spa. Service requests ticked up 7%, led by 234 pothole complaints and 218 graffiti removal requests. No food establishments failed inspection this month, compared to five in March.

New businesses — 2025-04

  • ELSTON GAS MART (Filling Station)
  • #1 CHOP SUEY (Retail Food Establishment)
  • BONNIE FLOWERS (Limited Business License)
  • Chess Club Coffee (Retail Food Establishment)
  • LUCKY CAFE (Retail Food Establishment)
  • ANDY'S CUSTOM GUTTERS (Limited Business License)
  • CHICAGO COSTUME (Limited Business License)
  • AAACOIN.COM (Secondhand Dealer)
  • 7-ELEVEN #26825 (Package Goods)
  • Starbuck's Coffee #2568 (Retail Food Establishment)

New businesses — 2026-04

  • CARO ACCOUNTING, PAYROLL & TAX SERVICES (Limited Business License)
  • 7-ELEVEN #26825 (Tobacco)
  • UNLIMITED TRANSMISSIONS & REPAIR (Motor Vehicle Services License)
  • Canteen @ Koch Foods - Vending Machines (Limited Business License)
  • MAYFAIR MASSAGE ACUPUNCTURE SPA (Regulated Business License)
  • IRVING PARK CITGO (Tobacco)
  • IRVING PARK CITGO (Retail Food Establishment)
  • IRVING PARK CITGO (Filling Station)
  • Finn Construction (Manufacturing Establishments)
  • Color Club (Retail Food Establishment)