City In Review: Chicago

West Elsdon · Then vs Now

West Elsdon: 2025-04 vs 2026-04

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

2025-04 2026-04 Change
Building permits 5 4 -20%
Construction value ($) $807,033 $379,600 -53%
New business licenses 7 3 -57%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 452 488 +8%
Reported crimes 81 44 -46%
Violent crimes 23 18 -22%
Failed food inspections 0 1 +1

2025-04

West Elsdon permit value jumps to $807k

Five permits pulled in April totaled $807,033—a 554% jump from March's $123,433. Four came through the express program; one was a renovation. No new businesses opened or closed. Service requests dropped 8% to 452, with graffiti removal leading (83 calls), followed by abandoned vehicles (58) and potholes (43). Crime ticked down slightly: 81 incidents versus 83 the month before. Violent offenses fell from 28 to 23. No food inspections failed.

2026-04

West Elsdon permit value doubles despite fewer pulls

Four permits pulled in April totaled $379,600, up 127% from March's nine permits at $167k. Two were express program jobs, two were renovation/alteration work. New businesses dropped to three—GNC #61, Nails Yes, and Thai Twins Co., a retail food spot. Service requests ticked up 7% to 488, led by 89 pothole complaints and 79 graffiti removal calls. Crime fell 42% overall to 44 incidents, though violent offenses inched from 16 to 18. One food establishment failed inspection.

New businesses — 2025-04

  • FLOVAL BAKERY LLC (Retail Food Establishment)
  • CHICAGO THREADS (Limited Business License)
  • DANA SALE (Limited Business License)
  • AXIS CHICAGO (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
  • AXIS CHICAGO (Regulated Business License)
  • WINDY CITY CAR AUDIO & ELECTRONICS (Limited Business License)
  • LA MICHOACANA PREMIUM (Special Event Food)

New businesses — 2026-04

  • GNC #61 (Limited Business License)
  • NAILS YES (Limited Business License)
  • THAI TWINS CO. (Retail Food Establishment)