City In Review: Chicago

New City · Then vs Now

New City: 2024-08 vs 2025-08

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

2024-08 2025-08 Change
Building permits 30 39 +30%
Construction value ($) $3,173,119 $689,210 -78%
New business licenses 51 51 0%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 1,855 1,814 -2%
Reported crimes 373 331 -11%
Violent crimes 137 137 0%
Failed food inspections 6 7 +17%

2024-08

New City permit value falls 43% to $3.2 million

Permit value in New City dropped from $5.6 million in July to $3.2 million in August, a 43% decline. The neighborhood issued 30 permits, down from 39 the month before. Half were express permits; another 10 covered renovations or alterations. No new businesses opened or closed.

2025-08

New City permit value drops 71% despite count jump

New City issued 39 permits in August, up 77% from July, but their total value fell to $689k from $2.4 million. Most permits — 28 — came through the express program. The neighborhood logged 1,814 service requests, down 7%, with graffiti removal leading at 179 calls and open hydrants second at 153. Violent crime rose 17% to 137 incidents. Seven food establishments failed inspections, up from five.

New businesses — 2024-08

  • Magdis (Pop-Up Retail User)
  • OFELIA GONZALEZ (Limited Business License)
  • CHICAGO SPECIAL EVENTS MANAGEMENT (Pop-Up Retail User)
  • VITAL HEALTH (Limited Business License)
  • FRAN ARTE Y ESTILO DE MEXICO LLC (Limited Business License)
  • Sylvia Parrilla (Limited Business License)
  • CREMERIA SANTA MARIA, INC (Limited Business License)
  • FOTO ESTUDIO IMPERIAL INC. (Limited Business License)
  • WINGSTOP RESTAURANT (Retail Food Establishment)
  • National Safety Apparel Chicago (Manufacturing Establishments)

New businesses — 2025-08

  • Restaurantware (Limited Business License)
  • Jessica Tello Duran (Limited Business License)
  • STAR FARM CHICAGO (Retail Food Establishment)
  • OTIS CASON JR. (Limited Business License)
  • CHICAGO SPECIAL EVENTS MANAGEMENT (Pop-Up Retail User)
  • CHICAGO SPECIAL EVENTS MANAGEMENT (Pop-Up Retail User)
  • Herbert Patterson (Limited Business License)
  • CT NAILS (Limited Business License)
  • PLANET FITNESS (Regulated Business License)
  • Kiddie Treasure House (Children's Services Facility License)