City In Review: Chicago

Woodlawn · Then vs Now

Woodlawn: 2024-07 vs 2025-07

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

2024-07 2025-07 Change
Building permits 30 28 -7%
Construction value ($) $3,025,353 $8,209,221 +171%
New business licenses 18 65 +261%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 1,220 747 -39%
Reported crimes 374 363 -3%
Violent crimes 122 107 -12%
Failed food inspections 1 3 +200%

2024-07

Woodlawn pulls 30 permits, 15 through express track

Woodlawn issued 30 permits in July, down from 47 the month before. Total value dropped to about $3 million from $4.9 million. Fifteen permits went through the express program, nine covered renovations, and four were for new construction. No new businesses opened, no service requests filed.

2025-07

Woodlawn permit value doubles to $8.2M

Woodlawn's permit value more than doubled in July, hitting $8.2 million despite fewer permits overall—28 this month versus 37 last. Most of that work came through the express permit program (16 permits) and new construction (9 permits). Crime rose 16 percent to 363 incidents, though violent crime fell 13 percent to 107. Service requests dipped slightly to 747, led by pothole complaints (54) and abandoned vehicle reports (45). Street lights were out often enough to generate 44 calls. Three food establishments failed inspections, up from two last month.

New businesses — 2024-07

  • SUNDARI YANAMADULA (Shared Housing Unit Operator)
  • A & N HEALING HEARTS INC. (Limited Business License)
  • SOUTH CHICAGO JANITORIAL INC. (Limited Business License)
  • AUTOZONE #4413 (Limited Business License)
  • racing auto repair (Motor Vehicle Services License)
  • GROVE LIQUORS (Tobacco)
  • MIDWAY FOOD & LIQUORS NO. 2 (Tobacco)
  • E R & J FOOD & LIQUOR, INC (Tobacco)
  • 63RD AND DREXEL MOBIL (Tobacco)
  • GREEN FOODS & LIQUOR, INC. (Tobacco)

New businesses — 2025-07

  • CITY SPORTS (Limited Business License)
  • UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO (Retail Food Establishment)
  • PARKWAY SUPER MARKET INC. (Tobacco)
  • ROBUST COFFEE LOUNGE LLC (Retail Food Establishment)
  • WOODLAWN ANIMAL HOSPITAL (Animal Care License)
  • A & K B P (Tobacco)
  • ALEXANDER MOVER INC (Limited Business License)
  • Bridgeport Window Washing (Limited Business License)
  • Rays Roofing Supply Chicago (Limited Business License)
  • KIDZ CREATIVE CONCEPTS LEARNING CENTER (Children's Services Facility License)