City In Review: Chicago

Portage Park · Then vs Now

Portage Park: 2024-09 vs 2025-09

A side-by-side look at how Portage Park shifted between two periods.

2024-09 2025-09 Change
Building permits 52 58 +12%
Construction value ($) $2,119,902 $1,830,425 -14%
New business licenses 40 49 +22%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 1,848 1,865 +1%
Reported crimes 328 270 -18%
Violent crimes 78 67 -14%
Failed food inspections 3 1 -67%

2024-09

Portage Park crime jumps 26% in September

Portage Park recorded 328 crimes in September, up from 261 in August. Violent offenses dipped by one, from 79 to 78. The rest of the month was quieter: 311 calls fell 10% to 1,848, with rodent baiting still the top request at 223. Permits dropped 18% to 52, mostly express permits, and their total value slid 32% to $2.1 million. No businesses opened or closed. Three food spots failed inspections, same as August.

2025-09

Portage Park permit count jumps 21% on express work

Portage Park pulled 58 permits in September, up from 48 the month before. Nearly 80% were express permits—the kind that move fast for minor jobs. Total construction value came in at $1.8 million, down 27% from August's $2.5 million. No new businesses opened or closed. A quieter month by the numbers, though contractors stayed busy with small-scale work.

New businesses — 2024-09

  • La DOLCE VITA CUCINA (Retail Food Establishment)
  • BERNIE'S HEATING & AC SERVICE LLC (Regulated Business License)
  • CHICAGO CONSTRUCTION CONCEPTS CO., (Regulated Business License)
  • Seven Twenty Five Events LLC (Limited Business License)
  • NORMA DIAZ (Peddler License)
  • Lawrence Food & Liquors (Tobacco)
  • ROYAL FOOD MARKET (Retail Food Establishment)
  • SIX CORNERS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (Limited Business License)
  • EZI MART (Tobacco)
  • GRILLICIOUS BITE (Retail Food Establishment)

New businesses — 2025-09

  • LOUIS PELLEGRINO (Shared Housing Unit Operator)
  • BANANAHANDLES (Limited Business License)
  • NEW FASHION BEAUTY SALON (Limited Business License)
  • Sign A Rama (Manufacturing Establishments)
  • GRACE ZION TAILOR (Regulated Business License)
  • TONY'S FRESH MARKET (Food - Shared Kitchen - Supplemental)
  • BOOST MOBILE (Limited Business License)
  • NAILS, STAPLES & SUPPLIES, LLC (Limited Business License)
  • CENTRAL NUTRITION (Retail Food Establishment)
  • Stepping Stones Nursery School (Children's Services Facility License)