City In Review: Chicago

Kenwood · Then vs Now

Kenwood: 2024-09 vs 2025-09

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

2024-09 2025-09 Change
Building permits 9 11 +22%
Construction value ($) $414,432 $157,787 -62%
New business licenses 3 4 +33%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 234 276 +18%
Reported crimes 192 164 -15%
Violent crimes 58 45 -22%
Failed food inspections 0 4 +4

2024-09

Kenwood permit activity drops by half in September

Kenwood pulled nine permits in September, down from eighteen the month before. The $414k in declared work was dominated by five express permits—likely smaller jobs fast-tracked through the system. One elevator equipment permit and three renovation permits rounded out the rest. No new businesses opened, none closed, and the other usual metrics sat at zero. A quiet month overall.

2025-09

Kenwood permit value drops 89% in September

Kenwood pulled 11 permits in September worth $158k total, down sharply from last month's $1.45 million. Nine of the permits were express-program jobs; the rest included one renovation and one elevator equipment permit. No new businesses opened or closed. Service requests fell 16% to 276, led by building violations (24) and abandoned vehicle complaints (23). Crime dropped 13% to 164 incidents, with violent offenses down from 53 to 45. Four food establishments failed inspections, compared to none the month prior.

New businesses — 2024-09

  • Leon's Bar B Que (Shared Kitchen User (Long Term))
  • MEDITATED MOMENTS, LLC (Regulated Business License)
  • AMBRIOSAL (Shared Kitchen User (Long Term))

New businesses — 2025-09

  • SUBWAY (Retail Food Establishment)
  • THE CAJUN CONNOISSEUR LLC (Shared Kitchen User (Long Term))
  • ANDRE CUNNINGHAM (Peddler License)
  • RED SNAPPER (Retail Food Establishment)