City In Review: Chicago

North Center · Then vs Now

North Center: 2025-01 vs 2026-01

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

2025-01 2026-01 Change
Building permits 32 16 -50%
Construction value ($) $7,244,442 $8,326,688 +15%
New business licenses 19 21 +11%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 829 1,051 +27%
Reported crimes 88 96 +9%
Violent crimes 12 23 +92%
Failed food inspections 1 2 +100%

2025-01

North Center permits drop 32% but dollar value climbs

North Center issued 32 permits in January, down from 47 the month before. But total permit value edged up 5% to $7.2 million. More than half the permits—18 of 32—were express filings, typically smaller projects with faster approval. Eight were for renovations, three for demolition, and two for new construction. No new businesses opened or closed during the month, and service request data wasn't available.

2026-01

North Center permits hit $8.3M on fewer filings

Sixteen permits pulled $8.3 million in January—up from $3.8 million the month before on 29 filings. Nine were express permits. Twenty-one new business licenses came through, including Lucky's Food and Liquor (tobacco), a Burning Bush Brewery patio, and Mixteco #2. Violent crime jumped 77 percent (13 to 23 incidents), though overall crime dropped 22 percent. Tree trim requests topped 311 calls at 158, ahead of 141 pothole complaints.

New businesses — 2025-01

  • Cradles To Crayons (Limited Business License)
  • FEDEX OFFICE AND PRINT SVCS, INC. (Limited Business License)
  • MENYA GOKU (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
  • EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P. (Limited Business License)
  • Edward Jones (Limited Business License)
  • BASANT (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
  • Pet Supplies Plus (Animal Care License)
  • PIZZERIA UNO (Retail Food Establishment)
  • REY TO Z (Limited Business License)
  • MENYA GOKU (Retail Food Establishment)

New businesses — 2026-01

  • LUCKY'S FOOD AND LIQUOR (Tobacco)
  • AEDIFICO DESIGNS LLC (Regulated Business License)
  • WESTERN MONTROSE SHELL (Retail Food Establishment)
  • ALDI INC #58 (Retail Food Establishment)
  • MIXTECO #2, LLC (Retail Food Establishment)
  • Burning Bush Brewery / River Room at Burning Bush Brewery (Outdoor Patio)
  • CUBBINGTON'S CABINET (Limited Business License)
  • WESTERN MONTROSE SHELL (Tobacco)
  • Tara Jenkins (Shared Housing Unit Operator)
  • BALLOONS BY DENISE (Regulated Business License)