City In Review: Chicago

Uptown · Then vs Now

Uptown: 2024-04 vs 2025-04

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

2024-04 2025-04 Change
Building permits 10 49 +390%
Construction value ($) $590,289 $8,829,865 +1396%
New business licenses 24 35 +46%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 1,137 1,197 +5%
Reported crimes 378 344 -9%
Violent crimes 98 105 +7%
Failed food inspections 9 4 -56%

2024-04

Uptown logs $590k in permits, mostly express

Uptown pulled ten building permits worth about $590,000 in April. Eight were filed through the city's express permit program, typically used for smaller interior jobs that meet pre-approved conditions. The remaining two covered a renovation and elevator equipment work. No new businesses opened or closed during the month.

2025-04

Uptown pulls 49 permits, mostly express-track work

Uptown logged 49 permits in April, up 32% from March, though their combined value fell to $8.8 million from $10.2 million. Thirty-one of those permits came through the express program — quick jobs that don't need full plan review. Another 13 were renovation or alteration permits. Two new-construction permits rounded out the month. No new businesses registered, and the other metrics came back zeroed out in the data.

New businesses — 2024-04

  • CHICAGO PICKLE EATERY (Retail Food Establishment)
  • SHAN RESTAURANT (Tobacco)
  • WAVELENGTH ENGINEERING (Regulated Business License)
  • HANRAHAN (Peddler License)
  • WILSON ABBEY (Public Place of Amusement)
  • ESSENCE OF CARE (Regulated Business License)
  • VNTOFU & FAST FOOD, INC. (Retail Food Establishment)
  • Dollop Coffee and Tea (Retail Food Establishment)
  • NALA (Regulated Business License)
  • Uptown Pet Services LLC (Regulated Business License)

New businesses — 2025-04

  • KENNY MAC'S (Limited Business License)
  • CHICAGO NAILS & SPA (Limited Business License)
  • FORTEZA FITNESS & MARTIAL ARTS (Limited Business License)
  • CHARM RICE AND NOODLE (Shared Kitchen User (Long Term))
  • Lakeside Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Children's Services Facility License)
  • THE GOOD SHEPHERD ENTERPRISE (Limited Business License)
  • Brock Lane Mettz Design, LLC (Regulated Business License)
  • Kimchi Pop Two By Chef Son (Retail Food Establishment)
  • SUBWAY (Retail Food Establishment)
  • SOLIS INTERNATIONAL, INC. (Limited Business License)