South Lawndale · Then vs Now
South Lawndale: 2025-01 vs 2026-01
A side-by-side look at how South Lawndale shifted between two periods.
| 2025-01 | 2026-01 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building permits | 29 | 21 | -28% |
| Construction value ($) | $1,658,465 | $1,366,328 | -18% |
| New business licenses | 26 | 25 | -4% |
| Business closings (proxy) | 0 | 0 | — |
| 311 service requests | 1,612 | 1,717 | +7% |
| Reported crimes | 261 | 235 | -10% |
| Violent crimes | 90 | 74 | -18% |
| Failed food inspections | 5 | 10 | +100% |
2025-01
South Lawndale permit value drops 84% despite graffiti surge
Permits in South Lawndale fell from $10.4 million to $1.7 million in January, an 84% drop, though permit count held steady at 29. Most were express permits (18) or renovations (5). Graffiti removal requests jumped to 459, driving a 39% increase in 311 calls overall. Crime declined 12%, with violent incidents down 17% to 90. Food inspection failures ticked down from six to five. No new business licenses or closures were recorded.
2026-01
South Lawndale adds ALDI, 22 other businesses
South Lawndale added 23 businesses in January, including an ALDI, Nieto's Barbershop, and Vista Eye Center. Permits climbed 75 percent to 21, up from 12 the prior month, though dollar value dropped 11 percent to $1.37 million. Graffiti removal topped 311 requests at 318, out of 1,132 total service calls. Residents also filed 134 tree-trim requests and 73 abandoned-vehicle complaints. The neighborhood logged 152 crimes, 52 of them violent. Eight food establishments failed inspection.
New businesses — 2025-01
- CHICAGO BUILDING GROUP, INC. (Regulated Business License)
- LAS CARNITAS URUAPAN (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
- SpinXpress (Regulated Business License)
- Burdeens Chicago (Limited Business License)
- STOP & SAVE SHOP (Tobacco)
- SLICE FACTORY (Retail Food Establishment)
- VEN A MI BEAUTY SALON (Limited Business License)
- BMS LAUNDRY (Regulated Business License)
- Maestria Espiritual (Limited Business License)
- SMOKE TOWN (Tobacco)
New businesses — 2026-01
- NIETO'S BARBERSHOP (Limited Business License)
- ENDLESS ENERGY LLC (Limited Business License)
- Vista Eye Center (Limited Business License)
- SMOKE TOWN (Tobacco)
- Paraiso Nutricion (Limited Business License)
- PRINCE FOOD MARKET, INC. (Tobacco)
- TELOLOAPAN GROCERY INC (Retail Food Establishment)
- ALDI #30 (Package Goods)
- STOP & SAVE SHOP (Retail Food Establishment)
- PRINCE FOOD MARKET, INC. (Retail Food Establishment)