City In Review: Chicago

Woodlawn · Then vs Now

Woodlawn: 2025-03 vs 2026-03

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

2025-03 2026-03 Change
Building permits 22 26 +18%
Construction value ($) $1,430,335 $1,896,208 +33%
New business licenses 9 10 +11%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 548 696 +27%
Reported crimes 283 320 +13%
Violent crimes 101 93 -8%
Failed food inspections 0 0

2025-03

Woodlawn permits jump 83%, but value drops by half

Woodlawn issued 22 permits in March, up from 12 the month before, but their combined value fell 52% to $1.4 million. Fifteen were express permits, with three tagged as new construction. Service requests rose 20% to 548, led by 58 pothole complaints. Violent crime climbed 36% to 101 incidents, while overall crime was up 14% to 283. No new business licenses appeared in city records this month.

2026-03

Woodlawn permit value climbs to $1.9M

Woodlawn issued 26 permits in March, up from 16 the month before, with total value climbing to roughly $1.9 million. Seventeen of those permits came through the express program. The neighborhood added 10 new businesses, including 7 Seas Food & Meat Mart #3 and a Jewel Food Store. 311 calls spiked 48% to 696, led by 84 abandoned vehicle complaints and 76 pothole reports. Crime ticked up 27% overall to 320 incidents, with violent offenses edging from 87 to 93.

New businesses — 2025-03

  • FIBER ARTS SYNDICATE (Pop-Up Retail User)
  • DM HAIR STUDIOS (Limited Business License)
  • OPEX CONSULTING LLC (Regulated Business License)
  • TAX REFUND MAX (Limited Business License)
  • SOUTH SIDE YMCA PRE-SCHOOL (Children's Services Facility License)
  • 7 SEAS FOOD & MEAT MART #3 INC (Tobacco)
  • OSCO DRUG # 3082 (Tobacco)
  • EXPRESS E MART, INC. (Tobacco)
  • EARTHSEED CONSULTING LLC (Regulated Business License)

New businesses — 2026-03

  • LISA CELESTE ALEXANDER (Peddler License)
  • CHRISTINE CARR (Peddler License)
  • MUFFYS LOUNGE & COMPONENTS LLC (Limited Business License)
  • BIG HOUSE STUDIO L.L.C. (Regulated Business License)
  • 7 SEAS FOOD & MEAT MART #3 INC (Tobacco)
  • 7 SEAS FOOD & MEAT MART #3 INC (Retail Food Establishment)
  • JEWEL FOOD STORE # 3082 (Retail Food Establishment)
  • OSCO DRUG # 3082 (Package Goods)
  • OSCO DRUG # 3082 (Tobacco)
  • Chico Consulting Group (Regulated Business License)