5532 South Racine Avenue, Chicago
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 5532 South Racine Avenue have open permits or code violations?
- Chicago Department of Buildings lists 12 permits, 6 not closed, and 60 violations, 28 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 5532 South Racine Avenue at risk for?
- FEMA's National Risk Index rates the area relatively low overall, with elevated cold wave risk.
Permits and code violations
6 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. 28 open violations.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Jul 2024Complete
2019 cbc spr: interior renovations on first floor and basement of an existing 2-story mixed-use building to correct violations, type iii-a construction, r-2 & b occupancy.
- Permit - easy permit process Feb 2023
Wreck and remove a detached frame garage
- Permit - easy permit process Jul 2022
Repair rear/side porch to correct violations. erect six (6) foot high wrought iron fence. no plans required per inspector.
- Permit - easy permit process Jan 2022
Revision to permit # 100786304 to reflect change of ownership
- Permit - wrecking/demolition Aug 2021Complete
Emergency wreck and remove a 2 story frame residence
- Permit - easy permit process Oct 2018
Masonry repairs to address open code violations: replace window lintels, tuckpointing, replace bricks and rebuild brick walls as necessary. (aka: 5524-28 s. racine ave.)
- Permit – express permit program Oct 2015Complete
Upgrade to new outlets,lights,and switches
- Permit - renovation/alteration Oct 2013Complete
Repair exist 2nd floor rear apartment due to fire damage. no mech or plumb work. refer to plans for scope of work.
- Permit - easy permit process Aug 2013
Roof recover only - no structural work
- Permit - easy permit process Aug 2013
Repair/replace drywall (appx-1100sf). cabinets. repair masonry per building violations (area of masonry work- appx 200sf). electrical permit # 100505824- all work same as existing
- Permit – express permit program Aug 2013Complete
Remove and replace receptacle, switch, fixtures for drywall only.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Nov 2007Complete
Replace existing two frame porches to correct violations per plans
Chicago Department of Buildings
Safety and environment
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Highest for this area: cold wave. These drive insurance cost here.
FEMA National Risk Index, census tract
Leaking fuel tanks
1 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: Chicago Public Schools, 955 West Garfield (1,600 ft), open. 1 still open. Ask whether groundwater or soil vapor testing was done.
EPA UST Finder, leaking underground storage tank releases
Brownfield site
100 ft
5541 S Racine Ave and 5 more within half a mile. Former industrial land in EPA's cleanup and reuse program.
EPA ACRES Brownfields
Toxic release facility
1,850 ft
Elizabeth St Fndy and 3 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
1,500 ft
Holmes Elem School (1,500 ft), Libby Elem School (1,900 ft), Sherman Elem School (2,900 ft). Confirm the assigned school with the district.
U.S. Department of Education, NCES
Major airport
5.0 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.
- Knock on a neighboring door and ask two things: what bothers them most often, and what work is planned for the building.
- Schedule a viewing on a weekday too, between 6:00 and 7:30 PM, the window when the building is busiest: neighbors, parking, elevator.
- 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.
- Look at the stairwell (cleanliness, smell) and the association's notice board: unpaid dues, conflicts, recent decisions.
- 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.
Neighborhood recommendations are derived from public OpenStreetMap data and may be incomplete. Checking in person is still what matters most.
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