City In Review: Chicago

Near South Side · Then vs Now

Near South Side: 2024-12 vs 2025-12

A side-by-side look at how Near South Side shifted between two periods.

2024-12 2025-12 Change
Building permits 24 24 0%
Construction value ($) $462,157 $40,754,531 +8718%
New business licenses 12 17 +42%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 307 409 +33%
Reported crimes 234 176 -25%
Violent crimes 75 41 -45%
Failed food inspections 1 2 +100%

2024-12

Near South Side permit value drops 92% in December

Near South Side pulled 24 permits in December, up from 17 the month before, but their total value collapsed to $462k from November's $5.9 million. Thirteen of those permits were for signs. The rest scattered across express permits, one renovation, one reinstatement, and one new construction job. No new businesses opened, none closed. A month of paperwork, not much else.

2025-12

Near South Side permit value jumps to $40.8 million

Permit values shot up 163% in December, reaching $40.8 million compared to $15.5 million the month prior. The neighborhood issued 24 permits, two more than November. Sixteen of those came through the express permit program. No new businesses opened, none closed, and 311 requests weren't tracked this month.

New businesses — 2024-12

  • DOGONE FUN RESORT (Animal Care License)
  • PARISH CONSULTANTS (Limited Business License)
  • HECKMAN BATONS (Limited Business License)
  • FATPOUR TAP WORKS (Retail Food Establishment)
  • SWEENEY TAUD (Limited Business License)
  • SAFEGUARD SELF STORAGE (Limited Business License)
  • FATPOUR TAP WORKS (Outdoor Patio)
  • FATPOUR TAP WORKS (Public Place of Amusement)
  • FATPOUR TAP WORKS (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
  • Signature Steak (Caterer's Liquor License)

New businesses — 2025-12

  • Field Museum (Package Goods)
  • EARTHLY ESSENCE LLC (Shared Kitchen User (Long Term))
  • STEPPING STONE SCHOLARS, INC. (Children's Services Facility License)
  • APRIL MAY LLC (Regulated Business License)
  • CHIUNGYU KAO (Peddler License)
  • VERSAILLES MASSAGE AND BAR (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
  • VERSAILLES MASSAGE AND BAR (Regulated Business License)
  • MAE DISTRICT (Public Place of Amusement)
  • NEMA CHICAGO (Tavern)
  • MAE DISTRICT (Outdoor Patio)