City In Review: Chicago

West Garfield Park · Then vs Now

West Garfield Park: 2024-05 vs 2025-05

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

2024-05 2025-05 Change
Building permits 18 13 -28%
Construction value ($) $2,663,374 $956,200 -64%
New business licenses 13 9 -31%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 568 822 +45%
Reported crimes 304 288 -5%
Violent crimes 125 116 -7%
Failed food inspections 2 3 +50%

2024-05

West Garfield Park permit value jumps to $2.7M

Eighteen permits were issued in May, up from 14 the month before, but the real story is total value: $2.66 million, a fivefold increase over April's $512k. Eight permits came through the express program, six were for renovation or alteration work, and two covered elevator equipment. No new businesses opened, no 311 requests logged.

2025-05

West Garfield Park permit value hits $956k

Permit value in West Garfield Park jumped 45% to $956,000 in May, even as the count slipped from 14 to 13. Ten were express permits; three covered renovations or alterations. Service requests fell 30%, from 1,169 to 822, with graffiti removal topping the list at 104 calls. Crime edged up 3% to 288 incidents, including 116 violent offenses. Three restaurants failed inspections, up from one.

New businesses — 2024-05

  • BRYAN BARNETT (Peddler License)
  • BRYAN BARNETT (Regulated Business License)
  • K OM FOOD MART (Limited Business License)
  • SUNSHINE BEAUTY PALACE (Limited Business License)
  • PARADISE COLLECTION (Limited Business License)
  • WALGREENS #15507 (Limited Business License)
  • WALGREENS #15507 (Retail Food Establishment)
  • FAME CLOTHING, INC. (Limited Business License)
  • DESIGN NO 1 NAILS-STUDIO CO. (Limited Business License)
  • Kiss the Cook BBQ (Retail Food Establishment)

New businesses — 2025-05

  • MADISON FOOD & MORE (Retail Food Establishment)
  • MIDWEST CANVAS CORPORATION (Limited Business License)
  • MAXWELL STREET HARRISON (Retail Food Establishment)
  • TRINI'S TASTY PASTRIES (Shared Kitchen User (Long Term))
  • ENTERPRISE 13 HEALTHY VENDING LLC (Limited Business License)
  • Chicago Audio Works, Inc. (Limited Business License)
  • J SIGNATURE (Limited Business License)
  • CATERING OUT THE BOX (Retail Food Establishment)
  • I290 FOOD AND LIQUOR (Tobacco)