City In Review: Chicago

Portage Park · Then vs Now

Portage Park: 2024-12 vs 2025-12

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

2024-12 2025-12 Change
Building permits 34 26 -24%
Construction value ($) $1,769,751 $2,937,891 +66%
New business licenses 27 73 +170%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 1,398 1,447 +4%
Reported crimes 223 243 +9%
Violent crimes 57 45 -21%
Failed food inspections 0 2 +2

2024-12

Portage Park permit value up 28% on express work

Portage Park issued 34 permits in December, same count as November but worth $1.77 million — up 28%. Twenty-three were express permits, the kind used for water heaters, HVAC, and other smaller jobs. Six covered renovations or alterations. Two permits went to new construction. No new businesses opened or closed.

2025-12

Portage Park permit value jumps to $2.9 million

Portage Park logged $2.9 million in permitted construction work in December, up 45% from November despite four fewer permits. Fifteen of the month's 26 permits came through the express program. Five renovation jobs and four sign permits rounded out the bulk of activity. One new construction permit also landed. No new businesses opened, and 311 requests were quiet.

New businesses — 2024-12

  • Pearle Vision Six Corners (Limited Business License)
  • Lake County Financing (Limited Business License)
  • SUNNY NAILS (Limited Business License)
  • CORAZON TEQUILERO RESTAURANT LLC (Retail Food Establishment)
  • CATHIE LEE LOWMILLER (Peddler License)
  • BAKERY SABOR A MI PUEBLO, CORP (Retail Food Establishment)
  • COMPUTER ONE CHICAGO (Limited Business License)
  • NUTRITION HOUSE (Retail Food Establishment)
  • CHOSEN SIGNS & PRINTING (Limited Business License)
  • BRENDERED INTERIORS LLC (Regulated Business License)

New businesses — 2025-12

  • GREAT EXPECTATIONS (Children's Services Facility License)
  • JEANY-S BOOKKEEPING LLC (Regulated Business License)
  • GV CLEANING SERVICES INC. (Regulated Business License)
  • JUNEBUG CAFE L.L.C. (Retail Food Establishment)
  • BRIGADOON (Tavern)
  • GD AUTO REPAIR (Motor Vehicle Services License)
  • SANDY'S BAKERY & DELI INC (Retail Food Establishment)
  • JOHNS AUTO SERVICE INC (Motor Vehicle Services License)
  • ARTS WIRED ELECTRONICS LLC (Limited Business License)
  • LUCKY GRILL INC (Retail Food Establishment)