City In Review: Chicago

North Center · 2026-02

North Center permit dollars drop 67% despite more filings

Eighteen permits were filed in North Center in February, up from 16, but their combined value dropped 67%—from $8.3 million to $2.8 million. Eleven were express permits. New businesses included Roscoe Pawtroll and CVS/Pharmacy #8751, which picked up package goods and retail food licenses. Lou Malnati's added an outdoor patio. Crime reports rose 21% to 116, though violent offenses fell to 21 from 23. Service requests climbed 10% to 1,154, led by tree trim requests (196) and potholes (161).

By the numbers

Building permits18
Declared construction value$2,753,529
New business licenses23
Business closings (proxy)0
311 service requests1154
Reported crimes116
Violent crimes21
Failed food inspections1

New businesses

Top permit types

Top 311 request types

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