Near South Side · Then vs Now
Near South Side: 2025-03 vs 2026-03
A side-by-side look at how Near South Side shifted between two periods.
| 2025-03 | 2026-03 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building permits | 36 | 40 | +11% |
| Construction value ($) | $17,751,225 | $11,028,888 | -38% |
| New business licenses | 42 | 12 | -71% |
| Business closings (proxy) | 0 | 0 | — |
| 311 service requests | 360 | 347 | -4% |
| Reported crimes | 201 | 186 | -7% |
| Violent crimes | 38 | 49 | +29% |
| Failed food inspections | 0 | 3 | +3 |
2025-03
Near South Side permit value jumps to $17.8 million
Thirty-six permits pulled in March, up from 23 the month prior, but the real story is dollar value: $17.8 million versus $3.1 million in February, a 466% jump. More than half the permits came through the express program (19 total), with six renovation jobs and five new construction projects rounding out the activity. No new business licenses logged, and service request data wasn't available for the month.
2026-03
Near South Side permit count jumps 74%, value slides 41%
Near South Side pulled 40 permits in March, up from 23 the month before, but total permit value dropped to $11 million from $18.6 million. Most of the activity—27 permits—came through the city's express program. New business licenses slid by half, from 23 to 12, though a Jewel Food Store and an Osco Drug opened along with a couple of salons (Evan Hair Salon, AAL Textures). Potholes led the 347 service requests, followed by 39 broken traffic signals. Crime stayed about flat: 186 incidents, including 49 violent offenses, both barely above February's tally.
New businesses — 2025-03
- FRED TALKS LLC (Limited Business License)
- THE HIVE SPEAKER SERIES, LLC (Limited Business License)
- STANDARD PARKING (Commercial Garage)
- ADLER PLANETARIUM STORE #561 (Limited Business License)
- EVENT NETWORK - SHEDD (Limited Business License)
- INSIGHT HOSPITAL & MEDICAL CENTER (Retail Food Establishment)
- GRANT'S FINANCIAL SERVICES (Limited Business License)
- STANDARD PARKING CORPORATION (Commercial Garage)
- STANDARD PARKING (Commercial Garage)
- MARRIOTT MARQUIS CHICAGO (Outdoor Patio)
New businesses — 2026-03
- EVAN HAIR SALON (Limited Business License)
- AAL TEXTURES SALON COMPANY LLC (Limited Business License)
- REA JOHNSON (Peddler License)
- OPEN TAB STUDIOS LLC (Regulated Business License)
- WORLDWIDE EATS (Shared Kitchen User (Long Term))
- Polish Me Nail (Limited Business License)
- JEWEL FOOD STORE # 3345 (Retail Food Establishment)
- 1250 CLEANERS (Regulated Business License)
- OSCO DRUG STORE #3345 (Tobacco)
- OSCO DRUG STORE #3345 (Package Goods)