6542 South Minerva Avenue, Chicago
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 6542 South Minerva Avenue have open permits or code violations?
- Chicago Department of Buildings lists 16 permits, 10 not closed, and 26 violations, 21 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 6542 South Minerva Avenue at risk for?
- FEMA's National Risk Index rates the area relatively low overall, with elevated tornado and heat wave risk.
Permits and code violations
10 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. 21 open violations.
- Permit – express permit program May 2026Active
Repair (26% to 50%) for wood porch (open) (quantity: 1, location: front of building). landing: 98 square feet. landing not more than 6 feet above ground. incidental electrical work under this permit. roof: rebuild. il roofing contractor license #104017381.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Jan 2026Active
Spr 2019 cbc. new second floor rear frame addition to existing 3-story sfr with basement. (occupancy r-5, construction type va). interior alterations including electrical, plumbing, hvac and conversion of 3rd fl. to unfinished attic space. new rear wood deck. ext. alterations inlcude the removal of the west bay window on the south elevation & infill of the ext. wall. removal of as-built fencing along the rear property line & construct new concrete pad at rear for two unenclosed off-street parking spaces. all work as per plans.(conditional permit subject to field inspections)
- Permit – express permit program Jan 2025Suspended
Install solar panels on roof of principal building. roof type: low-sloped (<2:12). inverter output: 7.6 kw. array output: 10.92 kw. location: main building roof. icc distributed generation installer cert. #16-0289.
- Permit – express permit program Jul 2024Suspended
Install solar panels on roof of principal building. roof type: low-sloped (<2:12). inverter output: 7 kw. array output: 0.01064 kw. location: rooftop. icc distributed generation installer cert. #16-0289.
- Permit - new construction Dec 2023Complete
Self-cert 2019 cbc: full building permit for 3 story 4 d.u., ground floor units are type a units, rear patio at 1st floor, rear porch with stair at 2nd/3rd floors, 2 exterior parking spaces on concrete pad, entire building sprinklered as per plan (occupancy group r-2, type va construction).
- Permit - new construction Nov 2023Complete
Self-cert 2019 cbc: proposed 3 story/4 unit, fully sprinklered residence (2 type a accessable units on 1st floor), rear patio, rear porch/stairs, and 2 space parking pad w/1 accessible space, per plans. r-2 occ. / type v-a const.
- Permit - easy permit process Dec 2015
Tear off and replace roof
- Permit - easy permit process Jun 2014
Repair hardwood, tile, interior doors, closet shelving, and existing countertop. replace flooring.
- Permit – express permit program Jun 2014Complete
Remove and replace light fixtures
- Permit - easy permit process Apr 2009
Changing mason contractors from abdullah warren group to m.cohen on permit #100245445 issued on 11/6/08
- Permit - renovation/alteration Nov 2008Complete
Erect front and rear 2-story 3b construction additions & 2nd story 3b construction addition & gut rehab (removal & replacement of walls) in existing bldg. with electrical, plumbing, hvac (1 new furnace w/ductwork) per plans
- Permit - easy permit process Jul 2008
Replace service door, overhead door & siding on existing 1 story frame garage - all work same as existing (no electrical)
Chicago Department of Buildings
Safety and environment
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Highest for this area: tornado, heat wave, cold wave. These drive insurance cost here.
FEMA National Risk Index, census tract
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
1,000 ft
Wadsworth Elem School (1,000 ft), Woodlawn Elem Community School (1,100 ft), Univ of Chicago Chtr-Woodlawn (1,700 ft). Confirm the assigned school with the district.
U.S. Department of Education, NCES
Major airport
8.0 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 Minerva 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 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.
- 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.
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.