City In Review: Chicago

Woodlawn · Then vs Now

Woodlawn: 2025-02 vs 2026-02

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

2025-02 2026-02 Change
Building permits 12 16 +33%
Construction value ($) $2,957,692 $1,077,708 -64%
New business licenses 3 5 +67%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 456 469 +3%
Reported crimes 249 252 +1%
Violent crimes 74 87 +18%
Failed food inspections 1 0 -100%

2025-02

Woodlawn permits drop 60% to 12 in February

Woodlawn issued 12 permits in February, down from 30 the month before. Construction value fell 33% to about $2.96 million. Seven of the permits came through the express program. Elevator work accounted for two more, while single permits covered renovation, a revoked reinstatement, and new construction. No new businesses opened and none closed.

2026-02

Woodlawn crime up 31% as permits drop by half

Crime in Woodlawn jumped 31% in February, with 252 reported incidents including 87 violent offenses. At the same time, building permits fell from 29 to 16, a 45% drop, with permit value sliding from nearly $2 million to about $1.1 million. Most permits were express approvals for minor work. Service requests climbed 27%, led by 47 abandoned vehicle complaints and 39 traffic signal outages. New businesses included Mae's Soul Kitchen and Rolls, a retail food spot, and Privilege, which opened with both a food license and approval for incidental alcohol consumption. No food inspections failed during the month.

New businesses — 2025-02

  • 63RD STREET FOOD MART (Retail Food Establishment)
  • Precision Business Solutions, Inc. (Regulated Business License)
  • AFC Sushi @ Jewel Osco #3082 (Retail Food Establishment)

New businesses — 2026-02

  • EARTHSEED CONSULTING LLC (Regulated Business License)
  • PRIVILEGE (Retail Food Establishment)
  • PRIVILEGE (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
  • Storagemart (Limited Business License)
  • MAE'S SOUL KITCHEN AND ROLLS (Retail Food Establishment)