City In Review: Chicago

Avondale · 2026-02

Portillo's and Wingstop open as Avondale permits slide 27%

Avondale added 22 business licenses in February, including Portillo's (with an outdoor patio) and Wingstop. Belmont Tavern also opened. Permits fell from 20 to 15, total construction value down 27% to just under $1 million. Ten of those permits came through the express program. Graffiti removal requests led 311 calls at 248, followed by 86 pothole complaints. Violent crime rose from 35 to 38 incidents; overall crime dropped 4%. Food inspection failures went from six to one.

By the numbers

Building permits15
Declared construction value$995,873
New business licenses22
Business closings (proxy)0
311 service requests998
Reported crimes163
Violent crimes38
Failed food inspections1

New businesses

Top permit types

Top 311 request types

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