Portage Park · Then vs Now
Portage Park: 2024-05 vs 2025-05
A side-by-side look at how Portage Park shifted between two periods.
| 2024-05 | 2025-05 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building permits | 51 | 50 | -2% |
| Construction value ($) | $2,439,471 | $1,840,258 | -25% |
| New business licenses | 41 | 30 | -27% |
| Business closings (proxy) | 0 | 0 | — |
| 311 service requests | 2,648 | 3,045 | +15% |
| Reported crimes | 288 | 259 | -10% |
| Violent crimes | 65 | 82 | +26% |
| Failed food inspections | 2 | 9 | +350% |
2024-05
Portage Park permit count doubles on express applications
Permit applications in Portage Park more than doubled in May, jumping from 21 to 51, but their total value dropped 58 percent to $2.4 million. The uptick came almost entirely from express permits—44 of the 51 filed—which typically cover smaller-scope work. Five renovation or alteration permits and one demolition permit rounded out the month. No new businesses opened, none closed, and the other datasets came up empty.
2025-05
Portage Park permit volume up, dollar value drops 32%
Portage Park pulled 50 permits in May, up from 42 the month prior, but total construction value fell by a third to $1.8 million. Most of the work went through the express program—36 of the 50 permits—suggesting smaller jobs. Another 13 permits covered renovations or alterations. No new businesses opened, none closed, and the other datasets came back empty.
New businesses — 2024-05
- LA COCINA DE DON RAMON (Retail Food Establishment)
- ANDREW FOERTSCH-JANS (Peddler License)
- SMART STOP (Tobacco)
- SHARON EILEEN PRICE (Peddler License)
- Mezcal Kitchen And Spirits, LLC (Shared Kitchen User (Long Term))
- T-MOBILE (Limited Business License)
- DISPO (Tobacco)
- ANTIGUA, INC. (Regulated Business License)
- KFC (Retail Food Establishment)
- WALGREENS #5121 (Package Goods)
New businesses — 2025-05
- CHICAGO SPECIAL EVENTS MANAGEMENT (Pop-Up Retail User)
- NORTHWEST SIDE CDC (Pop-Up Retail User)
- TANK KITCHEN & BAR (Special Event Food)
- HOUSE OF BEAUTY AND WELLNESS LLC (Limited Business License)
- MQ Construction Company (Limited Business License)
- IV GENERATION ABM LLC (Regulated Business License)
- J.J. PEPPERS FOOD (Package Goods)
- BEYOND DAYCARE CENTER, INC. (Children's Services Facility License)
- Walgreens # 04862 (Tobacco)
- Grand Stage Company (Manufacturing Establishments)