Near South Side · Then vs Now
Near South Side: 2024-08 vs 2025-08
A side-by-side look at how Near South Side shifted between two periods.
| 2024-08 | 2025-08 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building permits | 25 | 37 | +48% |
| Construction value ($) | $2,011,679 | $5,521,076 | +174% |
| New business licenses | 38 | 18 | -53% |
| Business closings (proxy) | 0 | 0 | — |
| 311 service requests | 470 | 488 | +4% |
| Reported crimes | 260 | 215 | -17% |
| Violent crimes | 79 | 63 | -20% |
| Failed food inspections | 1 | 1 | 0% |
2024-08
Near South Side permit value drops 86% to $2M
Permit spending in Near South Side fell from $14.4M in July to $2M in August, an 86% drop. The neighborhood issued 25 permits, up three from the prior month, with 15 going through the express program. Graffiti removal requests led service calls at 164, nearly six times more than potholes. Violent crime ticked up 20%, from 66 incidents to 79, while overall crime dipped 3%. Food inspection failures dropped from three to one.
2025-08
Near South Side permit value jumps to $5.5M
Building permits in the Near South Side surged to $5.5 million in August, up 387% from July's $1.1 million. The neighborhood logged 37 permits—61% more than the prior month—with 20 coming through the city's express program. New construction accounted for seven permits, while signs and renovations rounded out the activity. No new businesses opened or closed during the month.
New businesses — 2024-08
- HL RESERVE LLC (Regulated Business License)
- CENTERSQUARE (Limited Business License)
- WINTRUST ARENA (Public Place of Amusement)
- SIGN-A-RAMA DOWNTOWN CHICAGO (Limited Business License)
- C. J. CLEANERS (Limited Business License)
- HAMPTON INN / HILTON GARDEN INN / HOME 2 SUITES (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
- F45 Training South Loop (Regulated Business License)
- HAMPTON INN / HILTON GARDEN INN / HOME 2 SUITES (Regulated Business License)
- HAMPTON INN / HILTON GARDEN INN / HOME 2 SUITES (Regulated Business License)
- AERIAL GRAFFITI, LLC (Regulated Business License)
New businesses — 2025-08
- Siam Thai (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
- EDUEATS FOOD SERVICE COMPANY (Retail Food Establishment)
- CHARMED INTERIORS DESIGN STUDIO (Regulated Business License)
- NARRATENT DIGITAL MARKETING (Limited Business License)
- ALLIED PARKING SERVICES (Valet Parking Operator)
- L'AFRIQUE MARKET (Retail Food Establishment)
- LIPS RESTAURANT (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
- EURO COLLISION (Motor Vehicle Services License)
- LIPS RESTAURANT (Retail Food Establishment)
- WILLIAMS INN PIZZA AND SPORTS BAR (Retail Food Establishment)