236 South Racine Avenue, Chicago
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 236 South Racine Avenue have open permits or code violations?
- Chicago Department of Buildings lists 20 permits, 5 not closed, and 10 violations, 3 open.
- What is the 2026 conforming loan limit in Cook County?
- $832,750 for a single-unit home, per FHFA. Larger loans are jumbo loans.
- Is radon a problem here?
- EPA radon zone 2, moderate potential.
- What natural disasters is 236 South Racine Avenue at risk for?
- FEMA's National Risk Index rates the area relatively high overall, with elevated tornado and inland flooding risk.
Permits and code violations
5 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. 3 open violations.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Sep 2023Complete
Self cert: revision to previously issued permit #101023008 on architectural, hvac and electrical systems
- Permit - renovation/alteration Jul 2023Complete
Self cert: interior buildout only of existing commercial unit including architectural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing work
- Permit - renovation/alteration Sep 2021Expired
Spr 2019 cbc replace existing private rooftop deck and fencing for unit 604 in existing 6-story, 20-unit building of type r-2 occupancy and type 1b construction. 2019 chicago rehab code. **certified plans corrections: conditional permit subject to field inspections **
- Permit – express permit program Nov 2020Complete
Installation of low voltage burglar alarm interior work only # 403229263 job # 102926415
- Permit - renovation/alteration Aug 2019Complete
Replace existing private rooftop deck for unit 601 and add new railings and countertop on existing 6-story, mixed use building of type 1b construction as per plans. no change in use or occupancy.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Sep 2018Complete
Revision to existing permit # 100646618 and 100744132 for hvac
- Permit – express permit program Mar 2018Complete
Installation of low voltage wires, tv and data
- Permit - elevator equipment Mar 2018
Installation of one (1) traction passenger elevator, 2500lb cap. 6 stop pursuant to the plans of work submitted.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Feb 2018Complete
Revision to existing permit #100646618 for hvac work.
- Permit – express permit program Sep 2017Complete
Low voltage elevator recall non-required fire alarm
- Permit – express permit program Sep 2017Complete
Low voltage area of rescue, cctv, and access control
- Permit – express permit program Sep 2016Complete
Piping, wiring and install 1ph, 3w, 100amp temporary electrical service
Chicago Department of Buildings
Safety and environment
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively High
Highest for this area: tornado, inland flooding, heat wave, cold wave. These drive insurance cost here.
FEMA National Risk Index, census tract
Leaking fuel tanks
27 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: Wooton Construction, 222 South Racine Ave. (100 ft), open. 3 still open. Ask whether groundwater or soil vapor testing was done.
EPA UST Finder, leaking underground storage tank releases
Toxic release facility
2,700 ft
American Nickel Works and 18 more within a mile. Reports chemical releases to air, water or land to EPA each year.
EPA Toxics Release Inventory
Radon potential
Moderate
Average indoor levels of 2 to 4 pCi/L. EPA still suggests testing ground-floor and basement units.
EPA and USGS Geologic Radon Potential Map
Nearest public schools
1,550 ft
Chicago World Language Academy (1,550 ft), Young Magnet High School (1,750 ft), Galileo Elem Math & Sci Schol Acd (2,700 ft). Confirm the assigned school with the district.
U.S. Department of Education, NCES
Major airport
7.9 mi
Chicago Midway (MDW). Aircraft may be audible under approach paths.
FAA large-hub airports
Sinkhole-prone ground
Limestone karst
The bedrock here (dolostone (dolomite), Silurian) can dissolve and open sinkholes. Ask for a geotechnical report and check whether sinkhole coverage is in the insurance policy.
USGS Karst in the United States (OFR 2014-1156)
Conforming loan limit 2026
$832,750
Cook County. Mortgages up to this amount qualify for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pricing. Above it, the loan is a jumbo with stricter terms.
FHFA Conforming Loan Limit Values, one-unit
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Who lives and works in Chicago
Trading floors, logistics and the deepest architecture stock in America
Chicago carries a full corporate economy at a price the coasts do not match. Neighborhoods are distinct and walkable, two and three flats are everywhere, and the Loop still sets the commute for finance, law and consulting.
- $71,673
- median household income
- 18.9%
- residents aged 25 to 34
- 45%
- households that own their home
What pays the bills
- Finance and trading
- Logistics and rail
- Law and consulting
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
Who anchors the economy
CME Group · Boeing suppliers · University of Chicago · Northwestern Medicine · United Airlines
The market is shaped around
- Young professionals
- Families buying space
- Two and three flat owners
More on South Racine Avenue
All addressesViewing recommendations
What's worth checking in person before deciding.
- Test water pressure and temperature at the tap, in the bathroom and kitchen, for at least a minute.
- Ask specifically where you'd park: is there paid city parking, who currently holds it, what the permit costs, and how long the waitlist is.
- Look at the stairwell (cleanliness, smell) and the association's notice board: unpaid dues, conflicts, recent decisions.
- Schedule a viewing on a weekday too, between 6:00 and 7:30 PM, the window when the building is busiest: neighbors, parking, elevator.
- Knock on a neighboring door and ask two things: what bothers them most often, and what work is planned for the building.
- Ask for the latest maintenance bill from a winter month, not a summer one: that's where the real cost of living there shows up.
Neighborhood recommendations are derived from public OpenStreetMap data and may be incomplete. Checking in person is still what matters most.