City In Review: Chicago

West Lawn · Then vs Now

West Lawn: 2024-05 vs 2025-05

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

2024-05 2025-05 Change
Building permits 34 18 -47%
Construction value ($) $608,515 $539,588 -11%
New business licenses 18 10 -44%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 845 875 +4%
Reported crimes 167 141 -16%
Violent crimes 37 40 +8%
Failed food inspections 4 3 -25%

2024-05

West Lawn permit value jumps to $608k

West Lawn saw 34 permits in May, up from nine the month before, with total value hitting $608,515—a fourfold increase. Most of that activity came through express permits (21) and sign permits (12). Crime reports climbed 29.5% to 167, with violent offenses up from 31 to 37. Graffiti removal requests led 311 calls at 129, followed by tree trim requests and garbage cart issues. Four food establishments failed inspections after none the previous month. Service requests otherwise held flat at 845.

2025-05

West Lawn permit value doubles to $540k

West Lawn pulled 18 permits in May, three fewer than April, but their total value more than doubled to roughly $540,000. Fifteen of those were express permits, typically small jobs. Residents filed 875 service requests, nearly flat with the prior month. Graffiti removal topped the list at 118 calls, followed by parking enforcement reviews at 104. Violent crime rose from 33 incidents to 40. Three food establishments failed inspections, up from one in April.

New businesses — 2024-05

  • TAQUERIA LA HERENCIA (Retail Food Establishment)
  • MUNCHIES SNACK BAR (Shared Kitchen User (Long Term))
  • VICKY VACA (Peddler License)
  • MARIA E CASTRO ARROYO (Peddler License)
  • MR. EDWARD HEATING AND COOLING, INC. (Regulated Business License)
  • SERGIO I RODRIGUEZ (Peddler License)
  • SHOE PIER (Limited Business License)
  • GUAU DOG GROOMING INC. (Animal Care License)
  • WALGREENS #5724 (Tobacco)
  • PENNEY OpCo STYLING SALON (Limited Business License)

New businesses — 2025-05

  • PEZ BLANCO (Retail Food Establishment)
  • JOSE SEGUNDO PERUGACHI (Peddler License)
  • WINDY CITY MUSHROOM FARMS (Shared Kitchen User (Long Term))
  • ROJAS AUTO REPAIR INC (Motor Vehicle Services License)
  • FIVE BELOW, INC. (Limited Business License)
  • CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL #2796 (Retail Food Establishment)
  • KARLAS NAILS SUPPLY CORP., (Limited Business License)
  • WALGREENS #5724 (Tobacco)
  • RAFA'S CHICKEN (Retail Food Establishment)
  • LITTLE CAESAR PIZZA (Retail Food Establishment)