City In Review: Chicago

New City · Then vs Now

New City: 2025-01 vs 2026-01

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

2025-01 2026-01 Change
Building permits 37 23 -38%
Construction value ($) $2,534,007 $115,861,544 +4472%
New business licenses 56 247 +341%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 1,150 1,237 +8%
Reported crimes 257 234 -9%
Violent crimes 88 87 -1%
Failed food inspections 1 4 +300%

2025-01

New City permits jump 76% despite value drop

New City logged 37 permits in January, up 76% from December, but their combined value fell from $9.7 million to $2.5 million—a 74% drop that suggests smaller-scale work replaced whatever big project dominated the prior month. Two-thirds of the permits came through the city's express program, which typically covers straightforward repairs and minor alterations. Residents filed 1,150 service requests, a 22% increase led by 254 graffiti removal calls. Crime dropped 14%, with violent offenses down from 103 to 88. No new businesses opened or closed during the month.

2026-01

New City permit value rockets to $115.8 million

New City's permit value jumped from $2.1 million in December to $115.8 million in January, a 5,358% leap driven by major construction activity. The neighborhood issued 23 permits, down from 27, with express permits leading the count at 12. New businesses included Great Lakes Packing Co., a wholesale food operation, and Acuario Travel Agency. Service requests climbed 25% to 1,237, with graffiti removal topping the list at 179 calls. Crime dropped 15% overall, with violent offenses down 27% to 87. Food inspection failures fell sharply to four.

New businesses — 2025-01

  • USED APPLIANCES SOLUTION (Limited Business License)
  • MONARCA TAX RESOLUTIONS, LLC (Limited Business License)
  • TOM KILLINGHAM (Pop-Up Retail User)
  • Mujer Azteca (Limited Business License)
  • GUAYABERAS SABIDO (Limited Business License)
  • Maria Saucedo (Limited Business License)
  • Hernandez (Limited Business License)
  • Mendoza (Limited Business License)
  • ABBY SELECTION (Limited Business License)
  • Chris Watford (Limited Business License)

New businesses — 2026-01

  • GREAT LAKES PACKING CO (Wholesale Food Establishment)
  • OLDCASTLE BUILDINGENVELOPE INC (Limited Business License)
  • ACUARIO TRAVEL AGENCY (Limited Business License)
  • MARIA T. VALDEZ (Limited Business License)
  • BACK OF THE YARDS COOL HEAT (Motor Vehicle Services License)
  • MAT LEASING INC (Limited Business License)
  • VARGAS SHOP (Limited Business License)
  • IVONE'S HAIR SALON (Limited Business License)
  • EDDIE SALES (Limited Business License)
  • OSI INDUSTRIES, LLC (Wholesale Food Establishment)