5542 West Congress Parkway, Chicago
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 5542 West Congress Parkway have open permits or code violations?
- Chicago Department of Buildings lists 11 permits, 3 not closed, and 59 violations, 29 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 5542 West Congress Parkway 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
3 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. 29 open violations.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Oct 2023Complete
Remove & replace exist. porch
- Permit - new construction Mar 2023Expired
Spe 2019 cbc new detached garage. occupancy classification rt-4 and no changes in classification per plans `**certified plans corrections: conditional permit subject to field inspections **
- Permit – express permit program Oct 2022Complete
Install underground line to new garage sub panel rough in new outlets -switches-and lightings
- Permit - renovation/alteration Oct 2022Complete
Replace existing back porch as per plans
- Permit - renovation/alteration Jul 2018Complete
Replace enclosed wood porch w/new open wood porch on (2) story brick/frame residence, per plans.
- Permit - easy permit process Jun 2018
Replace 7 lintels on south elevation repair step fractures and tuckpointing east and west elevation . same as existing
- Permit - renovation/alteration Apr 2012Complete
Renovation of buildingreplacement of enclosed rear wood porchnew mechanical, electrical, & plumbing upgrades
- Permit – express permit program Jan 2012Complete
Rewire second anf first floor ,install new fixtures ,new receptacles and new switches ,and aad one more meter for public
- Permit - renovation/alteration Jul 2010Complete
Install new (3) heating furnaces and (3) hot waters tank per plans
- Permit - easy permit process Nov 2009
Repair chimney per violation. correct plumbing per building violations; replace ext. walls w/ 5/8" gyp, bd. & 1/2" gyp. bd. for the int. walls & ceilings to an existing 2 du. the elect. permit have been issued under 100305796; subject to field inspections
- Permit – express permit program Aug 2009Complete
All new electrical throughout. new wiring, new conduit where needed. new switches, receptacles, and light fixtures. new 200 amp 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
2 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: Kooy, Larry, 5447 West Harrison St. (900 ft), open. 1 still open. Ask whether groundwater or soil vapor testing was done.
EPA UST Finder, leaking underground storage tank releases
Brownfield site
1,900 ft
5534 W Monroe St. Former industrial land in EPA's cleanup and reuse program.
EPA ACRES Brownfields
Toxic release facility
1,650 ft
Anderson Shumaker Co and 4 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
550 ft
Plato Learning Acad Elem School (550 ft), Depriest Elem School (1,600 ft), Clark G R Elem School (2,900 ft). Confirm the assigned school with the district.
U.S. Department of Education, NCES
Major airport
6.0 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
Have you lived here? Share your experience.
Leave a reviewLife around the address
West Congress Parkway runs through Chicago’s West Side, placing this address on a major east-west route toward downtown. Congress Parkway continues east toward the Eisenhower Expressway corridor and the Loop.
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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 West Congress Parkway
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Look at the stairwell (cleanliness, smell) and the association's notice board: unpaid dues, conflicts, recent decisions.
Neighborhood recommendations are derived from public OpenStreetMap data and may be incomplete. Checking in person is still what matters most.
The year built, height regime, structure, and elevator for this address are being indexed right now, city by city. Save the page and check back: it fills in over time. If you live here, you can fill it in yourself in a minute by leaving a review.