West Town · Then vs Now
West Town: 2024-11 vs 2025-11
A side-by-side look at how West Town shifted between two periods.
| 2024-11 | 2025-11 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building permits | 90 | 94 | +4% |
| Construction value ($) | $23,880,827 | $21,154,780 | -11% |
| New business licenses | 591 | 166 | -72% |
| Business closings (proxy) | 0 | 0 | — |
| 311 service requests | 2,528 | 2,403 | -5% |
| Reported crimes | 647 | 513 | -21% |
| Violent crimes | 141 | 91 | -35% |
| Failed food inspections | 7 | 13 | +86% |
2024-11
West Town permit activity down 17% in November
West Town pulled 90 permits in November, down from 109 the month before. The total value dropped to $23.9 million from $25.9 million. Express permits led the way with 36 applications, followed by 20 renovation permits and 16 sign permits. Eight new-construction permits rounded out the month's larger categories.
2025-11
West Town permit value hits $21M, up 174%
Permit value in West Town jumped 174% to $21.2 million in November, even as the number of permits fell 24% to 94. The bulk went through the city's express program—54 permits—followed by 16 renovation jobs. Crime dropped 24% to 513 incidents, with violent offenses down 18% to 91. Service requests fell 15% to 2,403, led by 540 graffiti removal calls. Food inspection failures dropped by more than half, from 31 to 13.
New businesses — 2024-11
- WICKER PARK NAIL SPA (Limited Business License)
- BASECAMP (Food - Shared Kitchen - Supplemental)
- HONORE WICKER PARK (Pop-Up Retail User)
- LA NAILS STUDIO (Limited Business License)
- SVEN ALESCHA FORNER (Peddler License)
- PEARL CLUB (Public Place of Amusement)
- HONORE WICKER PARK (Pop-Up Retail User)
- MISTER TIGER (Retail Food Establishment)
- Art me Nails (Limited Business License)
- MODERN RESEARCH SOLUTIONS LLC (Regulated Business License)
New businesses — 2025-11
- COSMICOS PET BAKERY (Limited Business License)
- EMMANUELLE JEAN LLC (Regulated Business License)
- Bluestem (Regulated Business License)
- GRAND AVE JUNK LLC (Regulated Business License)
- CASA YARI (Retail Food Establishment)
- POKE BURRITO (Retail Food Establishment)
- PERFEKTIONZ (Limited Business License)
- HONORE WICKER PARK (Pop-Up Retail User)
- AZUL (Public Place of Amusement)
- AIRE ANCIENT BATHS CHICAGO (Retail Food Establishment)