Portage Park · Then vs Now
Portage Park: 2024-08 vs 2025-08
A side-by-side look at how Portage Park shifted between two periods.
| 2024-08 | 2025-08 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building permits | 63 | 48 | -24% |
| Construction value ($) | $3,106,750 | $2,507,251 | -19% |
| New business licenses | 34 | 151 | +344% |
| Business closings (proxy) | 0 | 0 | — |
| 311 service requests | 2,059 | 2,503 | +22% |
| Reported crimes | 261 | 272 | +4% |
| Violent crimes | 79 | 74 | -6% |
| Failed food inspections | 3 | 3 | 0% |
2024-08
Portage Park pulls 52 express permits in August
Portage Park issued 63 permits in August, up 10.5% from July, though total value slipped to $3.1 million from $3.5 million. More than half—52 permits—came through the express program, which handles smaller-scale work. Nine renovation permits and one demo rounded out the month. No new business licenses or closures showed up in the data.
2025-08
Portage Park permit value jumps 83% to $2.5M
Portage Park's construction spending spiked in August, with permit value climbing from $1.4M to $2.5M. Most of that came through 37 express permits—quick fixes and minor jobs—plus nine renovation projects. Service requests dropped nearly 10% to 2,503, though rodent complaints still led the list at 216. Crime ticked down 7% to 272 incidents, with violent offenses holding steady at 74. Three restaurants failed inspections, up from two the month before. No new business licenses surfaced.
New businesses — 2024-08
- AND SHE BAKES TOO (Retail Food Establishment)
- ALEXANDRA FOODS, LLC (Special Event Food)
- SCRUB-A-DUB GROOMING (Animal Care License)
- HANDS ON THAI & SUSHI (Retail Food Establishment)
- House Of Fragrances (Limited Business License)
- Rudy's Bike Corp (Limited Business License)
- Transfer MX Inc "3" (Limited Business License)
- BALLET FOLKLORICO DE CHICAGO (Children's Services Facility License)
- SMOKE SHOP & VAPE (Tobacco)
- COMMUNITY SPONSORSHIPS (Regulated Business License)
New businesses — 2025-08
- ALEXANDRA FOODS, LLC (Special Event Food)
- MIKHAIL VASIAK (Peddler License)
- GOLDMART PLUS LTD (Limited Business License)
- WORTHY SALON (Limited Business License)
- MR. B'S STUFFED PIZZA, INC. (Special Event Food)
- PERFUMES Y REGALOS 2R INC. (Limited Business License)
- FU SPA (Limited Business License)
- AUTO GLASS NOW (Motor Vehicle Services License)
- BP (Tobacco)
- BP (Filling Station)