City In Review: Chicago

Uptown · Then vs Now

Uptown: 2024-12 vs 2025-12

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

2024-12 2025-12 Change
Building permits 21 17 -19%
Construction value ($) $29,080,214 $5,518,188 -81%
New business licenses 29 20 -31%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 707 1,374 +94%
Reported crimes 326 281 -14%
Violent crimes 100 79 -21%
Failed food inspections 2 1 -50%

2024-12

Uptown permit value jumps to $29 million

Uptown's permit value shot up 660% in December, hitting $29 million—a huge swing from November's $3.8 million. The count of permits dropped by nearly half, from 38 to 21, suggesting a few large-dollar projects drove the surge. Express permits and renovation work tied for the most common types, nine apiece. Service requests fell 21%, with graffiti removal leading the list at 99 calls. Crime dropped slightly: 326 incidents, down from 351, including 100 violent offenses. Two restaurants failed inspections, down from seven.

2025-12

Uptown logs 375 snow sidewalk complaints in December

Service requests climbed 33% as winter hit. Of 1,374 total, 375 were for uncleared sidewalks and 110 for ice and snow removal. Graffiti removal drew 114 requests. Permit activity fell sharply—down 43% by count and 49% by dollar value to $5.5 million. New businesses included New Kaneshie Supermarket, a retail food spot, and Bolt Fitness. Crime dropped 13%, with violent offenses down 26%.

New businesses — 2024-12

  • CHICAGO WESTSIDE LOCKSMITHS LLC (Regulated Business License)
  • CITGO (Tobacco)
  • ISLAND NAILS (Limited Business License)
  • CITGO (Filling Station)
  • Uptown Taprooms (Outdoor Patio)
  • Full Kit Gear (Limited Business License)
  • BROADWAY WASH (Tobacco)
  • SELAM MARKET AND RESTAURANT LLC (Retail Food Establishment)
  • SELAM MARKET AND RESTAURANT LLC (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
  • TONY'S MATTRESSES & MORE (Limited Business License)

New businesses — 2025-12

  • NEW KANESHIE SUPERMARKET (Retail Food Establishment)
  • SABANOH UNIFORMS (Limited Business License)
  • MOSAIQUE LLC (Regulated Business License)
  • En Vogue USA Corp (Limited Business License)
  • BROADWAY WASH (Tobacco)
  • UPTOWN DELI (Tobacco)
  • 1ST IMPRESSION BEAUTY SALON, INC. (Limited Business License)
  • JACK TUCHTEN WHOLESALE PRODUCE, INC. (Shared Kitchen User (Long Term))
  • GUSTAVO GARCIA PEREZ (Peddler License)
  • BOLT FITNESS (Regulated Business License)