Loop · Then vs Now
Loop: 2024-05 vs 2025-05
A side-by-side look at how Loop shifted between two periods.
| 2024-05 | 2025-05 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building permits | 223 | 245 | +10% |
| Construction value ($) | $34,525,119 | $163,183,157 | +373% |
| New business licenses | 151 | 186 | +23% |
| Business closings (proxy) | 0 | 0 | — |
| 311 service requests | 874 | 1,061 | +21% |
| Reported crimes | 826 | 692 | -16% |
| Violent crimes | 186 | 139 | -25% |
| Failed food inspections | 3 | 18 | +500% |
2024-05
Loop permits jump 214% on express filings
The Loop issued 223 permits in May, up from 71 the month before—a 214% jump driven almost entirely by 150 express permits. Construction value rose to $34.5 million, about 10% higher than April. New business filings dropped sharply, from 489 to 151. Among the newcomers: Mammoth Poke, a retail food spot, and two World Parking commercial garages. Crime ticked up 16%, to 826 incidents. Graffiti removal requests led 311 calls at 256, followed by 88 complaints about traffic signals. Food inspection failures fell from 15 to three.
2025-05
Loop permit value hits $163M, up 62%
The Loop pulled 245 permits in May, down 12% from April, but their combined value hit $163 million—a 62% jump. Most of that growth came through 152 express permits, the fast-track path for smaller commercial work. Renovation permits ranked second with 41, followed by signs and new construction tied at 18 each. Elevator work rounded out the top five with 16 permits. No new business licenses or closures showed up in the data this month.
New businesses — 2024-05
- WORLD PARKING (Commercial Garage)
- WORLD PARKING (Commercial Garage)
- Mammoth Poke (Retail Food Establishment)
- Illinois Association of School Nurses (Raffles)
- MACY'S (Special Event Food)
- O'BRIEN'S RIVERWALK CAFE (Special Event Food)
- Retirement Plan Advisors, LLC (Limited Business License)
- Changing Worlds (Raffles)
- ANTONIO JONES CONSULTING (Regulated Business License)
- CHICAGO BREWHOUSE ON THE RIVERWALK (Special Event Food)
New businesses — 2025-05
- Orchard First Source Capital, Inc (Limited Business License)
- TOAST OF CHICAGO HAIRE'S GULF SHRIMP (Special Event Food)
- UNI UNI DOWNTOWN (Retail Food Establishment)
- Daylight L3C (Limited Business License)
- CHICAGO ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
- CHICAGO ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (Public Place of Amusement)
- CHICAGO ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (Public Place of Amusement)
- CHICAGO ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
- CHICAGO ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (Outdoor Patio)
- CHICAGO ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)