Near South Side · Then vs Now
Near South Side: 2024-09 vs 2025-09
A side-by-side look at how Near South Side shifted between two periods.
| 2024-09 | 2025-09 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building permits | 32 | 26 | -19% |
| Construction value ($) | $2,011,181 | $2,401,950 | +19% |
| New business licenses | 38 | 33 | -13% |
| Business closings (proxy) | 0 | 0 | — |
| 311 service requests | 356 | 405 | +14% |
| Reported crimes | 271 | 231 | -15% |
| Violent crimes | 61 | 63 | +3% |
| Failed food inspections | 2 | 1 | -50% |
2024-09
Near South Side gets 40 graffiti-removal requests
Service requests dropped to 356 in September, down from 470 the month before. Graffiti removal topped the list with 40 calls, trailed by 38 pothole complaints. Permits climbed to 32 from 25, holding dollar value near $2 million—fifteen came through the express program. Violent crime fell 23% to 61 incidents, though overall crime edged up to 271. Two food establishments failed inspections, twice August's tally.
2025-09
Near South Side permit value falls 57%
Permit activity dropped hard in September. The neighborhood logged $2.4 million in construction work, down from $5.5 million the month before. Twenty-six permits came through, eleven fewer than August, and express permits accounted for more than half. Graffiti removal topped 311 calls with 59 requests, while traffic signals and cab feedback tied at 27 each. Crime rose 7% to 231 incidents, though violent offenses stayed flat at 63.
New businesses — 2024-09
- Four Seasons Cleaners (Regulated Business License)
- QWEST COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, LLC (Limited Business License)
- HYATT REGENCY MCCORMICK PLACE HOTEL (Retail Food Establishment)
- OVA FOCUSED (Limited Business License)
- CHICAGO SPORTS NOVELTY (Limited Business License)
- FIELD MUSEUM PHOTOS (Limited Business License)
- FASTSIGNS #103901 (Manufacturing Establishments)
- HAIDILAO HOT POT CHICAGO INC. (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
- REVEL GLOBAL EVENTS (Limited Business License)
- PHOTOGENIC, INC. (Limited Business License)
New businesses — 2025-09
- Brulee (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
- Brulee (Retail Food Establishment)
- EXTRA SPACE STORAGE (#3446) (Limited Business License)
- CENTERSQUARE (Limited Business License)
- CENTERSQUARE (Limited Business License)
- CING (Regulated Business License)
- Bistro (Outdoor Patio)
- Bistro (Outdoor Patio)
- Explorer Cafe (Retail Food Establishment)
- JACOB RYAN RENO (Peddler License)