City In Review: Chicago

South Lawndale · Then vs Now

South Lawndale: 2025-04 vs 2026-04

A side-by-side look at how South Lawndale shifted between two periods.

2025-04 2026-04 Change
Building permits 36 28 -22%
Construction value ($) $1,291,618 $3,102,744 +140%
New business licenses 44 12 -73%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 1,507 1,823 +21%
Reported crimes 315 161 -49%
Violent crimes 123 68 -45%
Failed food inspections 2 2 0%

2025-04

South Lawndale permit value drops 95% after $23M March

South Lawndale's building permits fell from $23.8 million in March to $1.3 million in April, a 95% plunge that suggests last month's spike was driven by one or two huge projects now off the books. Permit count actually rose—36 vs. 27—with 22 filed through the city's express program. Service requests dropped 10%, led by 345 graffiti removal calls. Overall crime dipped 7%, but violent incidents climbed 12% to 123. No new businesses opened or closed during the month.

New businesses — 2025-04

  • SPORTS SOCCER FIERAS CHICAGO (Limited Business License)
  • EL VIEJON MEXICAN FOOD (Shared Kitchen User (Long Term))
  • LA COCINA DE CAMELITA (Special Event Food)
  • LA MICHOACANAS (Retail Food Establishment)
  • LACALACA 22 LLC VIN: CPT323V324782 PLATE NO: 3476848B (Special Event Food)
  • PILSEN BARBERSHOP (Limited Business License)
  • FAST FOOD SERVICES (Retail Food Establishment)
  • TORTILLERIA EL REY INC. (Retail Food Establishment)
  • NEREIDAS HAIR STUDIO (Limited Business License)
  • CORDERO'S GROCERY, INC. (Limited Business License)

New businesses — 2026-04

  • GENIE'S DISCOUNT FOOD AND LIQUOR (Tobacco)
  • JOSE E. GOMEZ (Peddler License)
  • ALEMAN'S GROOMING SALON (Animal Care License)
  • LITTLE VILLAGE LAUNDROMAT (Regulated Business License)
  • TANOR KOBOB INC. (Retail Food Establishment)
  • P&L JEWELRY INC #2 (Limited Business License)
  • ecoATM (Secondhand Dealer)
  • BIBI'S FOOD MARKET INC. (Retail Food Establishment)
  • ES LA VILLITA CLEANERS CORP. (Regulated Business License)
  • FUENTES FAMILY INC (Special Event Liquor)