City In Review: Chicago

Kenwood · Then vs Now

Kenwood: 2024-08 vs 2025-08

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

2024-08 2025-08 Change
Building permits 18 12 -33%
Construction value ($) $524,291 $1,450,345 +177%
New business licenses 3 2 -33%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 320 328 +2%
Reported crimes 200 189 -6%
Violent crimes 59 53 -10%
Failed food inspections 3 0 -100%

2024-08

Kenwood permit spending drops from $6.9M to $524k

Permit activity in Kenwood fell to $524,000 in August, down from $6.9 million the month before. Twelve of the 18 permits were express-track jobs. Crime climbed 18% to 200 incidents; violent offenses rose from 47 to 59. Service requests dropped 26% to 320, led by 52 tree trim filings—a category the city no longer accepts. Three food establishments failed inspection, up from one.

2025-08

Kenwood permit value drops 90% to $1.5M

Kenwood saw a sharp decline in building permit value in August, dropping from $14.2 million the month prior to $1.5 million—a 90% fall. The neighborhood issued 12 permits, all through the express program. Two businesses opened: Go Grocer, a retail food establishment, and Beauty Supply Inc. Crime fell 11%, with violent offenses down from 60 to 53. Abandoned vehicle complaints led 311 requests at 24, followed by 19 street light outages. Service requests overall dipped 7%.

New businesses — 2024-08

  • FUNG'S CHOP SUEY INC. (Retail Food Establishment)
  • Go Grocer (Tobacco)
  • DA VINCI ARTISTIC CREATIONS LLC (Regulated Business License)

New businesses — 2025-08

  • Go Grocer (Retail Food Establishment)
  • BEAUTY SUPPLY INC. (Limited Business License)