City In Review: Chicago

Chatham · Then vs Now

Chatham: 2025-03 vs 2026-03

A side-by-side look at how Chatham shifted between two periods.

2025-03 2026-03 Change
Building permits 40 26 -35%
Construction value ($) $705,802 $3,340,042 +373%
New business licenses 13 15 +15%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 997 1,175 +18%
Reported crimes 451 390 -14%
Violent crimes 140 152 +9%
Failed food inspections 2 3 +50%

2025-03

Chatham's 311 calls jump 60% on traffic signals, streetlights

Chatham residents filed 997 service requests in March, up 60% from February. Traffic Signal Out and Abandoned Vehicle complaints tied at 69 each, with Street Light Out close behind at 60. The city issued 40 permits, also up 60%, though their combined value fell 12% to $706k. Thirty-three permits came through the express program. Violent crime rose 25% to 140 incidents. No businesses opened or closed.

2026-03

Chatham permit value jumps to $3.3M

Chatham's permit value shot up 1,744% in March to $3.3 million, driven by 26 permits total—62% more than February. Twenty of those were express permits. New businesses included a Wingstop, a Planet Fitness, and Sandros Closet Boutique / We Poppin Balloons. Service requests climbed 13% to 1,175, with 114 tree trim requests topping the list. Violent crime rose 15% to 152 incidents. Three food establishments failed inspection, up from one the month prior.

New businesses — 2025-03

  • CITGO (Retail Food Establishment)
  • FOOT LOCKER #8706 (Limited Business License)
  • 5 Star Taxes & Consulting Services, LLC (Limited Business License)
  • NIKE RETAIL SERVICES (Limited Business License)
  • CURLMIX INC. (Manufacturing Establishments)
  • SHARKS FISH & CHICKEN (Retail Food Establishment)
  • Foot Locker #8180 (Limited Business License)
  • KIDS FOOT LOCKER #48617 (Limited Business License)
  • KID'S FOOT LOCKER #48618 (Limited Business License)
  • H & H FAST PROPERTIES (Limited Business License)

New businesses — 2026-03

  • SANDROS CLOSET BOUTIQUE / WE POPPIN BALLOONS (Limited Business License)
  • HANDYMEN ON THE SPOT LLC (Regulated Business License)
  • WASHABLES DELIVERED COMPANY (Regulated Business License)
  • H&R Block (Limited Business License)
  • H&R BLOCK (Limited Business License)
  • WINGSTOP (Retail Food Establishment)
  • PLANET FITNESS (Regulated Business License)
  • THE ART OF HAIR STUDIO (Limited Business License)
  • JEWEL FOOD STORE #3181 (Retail Food Establishment)
  • OSCO DRUG STORE #3181 (Package Goods)