Near South Side · Then vs Now
Near South Side: 2025-02 vs 2026-02
A side-by-side look at how Near South Side shifted between two periods.
| 2025-02 | 2026-02 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building permits | 23 | 23 | 0% |
| Construction value ($) | $3,136,413 | $18,564,218 | +492% |
| New business licenses | 19 | 23 | +21% |
| Business closings (proxy) | 0 | 0 | — |
| 311 service requests | 345 | 335 | -3% |
| Reported crimes | 168 | 183 | +9% |
| Violent crimes | 48 | 46 | -4% |
| Failed food inspections | 1 | 3 | +200% |
2025-02
Near South Side permit value nearly doubles to $3.1M
Permit spending jumped 93% in February, reaching $3.1 million across 23 permits. Express permits dominated with 15 applications. Service requests climbed 8% to 345, led by 86 tree trim requests and 50 graffiti removal calls. Crime dropped 16%, including a 24% decline in violent offenses to 48 incidents. Food inspection failures fell from seven to one.
2026-02
Near South Side permit value jumps to $18.6M
Permit values shot up 652% in February, hitting $18.6 million compared to $2.5 million the month before. Same number of permits (23), but something big got filed. Express permits led the pack with 13, followed by six elevator jobs. La Calle Tacos and Tequila and a Subway opened, plus several new Levy licenses at Soldier Field. Service requests climbed 37%, with graffiti removal topping the list at 69 calls. Crime reports rose 74% to 183, including 46 violent incidents. Three food inspections failed.
New businesses — 2025-02
- Divine Maids Chicago (Limited Business License)
- AFC SUSHI @JEWEL-OSCO #3345 (Retail Food Establishment)
- EXCEPTIONAL BUILDING SERVICES, INC. (Limited Business License)
- CSCF (Regulated Business License)
- JAMES J. JORDAN JR. (Peddler License)
- FRUITFUL DELIGHT (Retail Food Establishment)
- Impact Fund (Limited Business License)
- OVERFLOW COFFEE (Retail Food Establishment)
- CHICAGO METRO PARKING SERVICES LLC (Limited Business License)
- EEMCO (Regulated Business License)
New businesses — 2026-02
- CHICAGO MMA (Children's Services Facility License)
- LA CALLE TACOS AND TEQUILA (Retail Food Establishment)
- SUBWAY (Retail Food Establishment)
- Levy at Soldier Field (Caterer's Liquor License)
- Levy at Soldier Field (Retail Food Establishment)
- MOODY TONGUE BREWING COMPANY / THE BAR AT MOODY TONGUE / THE DINING ROOM AT MOODY TONGUE (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
- Levy at Soldier Field (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
- Levy at Soldier Field (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
- Levy at Soldier Field (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
- Di Studios (Limited Business License)