Near West Side · Then vs Now
Near West Side: 2025-02 vs 2026-02
A side-by-side look at how Near West Side shifted between two periods.
| 2025-02 | 2026-02 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building permits | 116 | 134 | +16% |
| Construction value ($) | $117,805,330 | $16,918,675 | -86% |
| New business licenses | 81 | 95 | +17% |
| Business closings (proxy) | 0 | 0 | — |
| 311 service requests | 48,493 | 50,917 | +5% |
| Reported crimes | 636 | 738 | +16% |
| Violent crimes | 161 | 183 | +14% |
| Failed food inspections | 11 | 17 | +55% |
2025-02
Near West Side permit value jumps to $118 million
Permit valuations in Near West Side spiked 562% in February, hitting $118 million—up from $17.8 million the month before. The 116 permits included 70 filed through the express program, 22 renovations, and 14 sign permits. The surge suggests a large-scale project or two cleared approval, though the data doesn't break out individual valuations. Permit counts themselves rose just 7%.
2026-02
Near West Side's 311 calls: 49,000 info-only requests
February's 311 spike—50,917 requests, up 30%—was almost entirely one category: "Information Only Call," which logged 49,488. It's unclear what drove the flood. Crime reports jumped 47%, violent incidents 37%. Ninety-five businesses opened, including Little Corner Store, Substation Market, and a Buffalo Wild Wings. Permits rose 20% by count but fell 42% by dollar value—$16.9 million versus January's $29.2 million. Food inspection failures: 17, nearly triple January's six.
New businesses — 2025-02
- Barking Owl (Limited Business License)
- Garcia's Jazz Restaurant (Retail Food Establishment)
- Vodori (Limited Business License)
- CHICAGO CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER (Raffles)
- Little Joe's at the Ballpark (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
- MAMMOTH POKE & RAMEN (Retail Food Establishment)
- CORNER BAKERY CAFE (Retail Food Establishment)
- THE UPS STORE 6975 (Limited Business License)
- HIGH HOPES CHICAGO LLC (Limited Business License)
- Imperial Parking (Commercial Garage)
New businesses — 2026-02
- LITTLE CORNER STORE (Limited Business License)
- TRISKELE (Limited Business License)
- SUBSTATION MARKET (Tobacco)
- AINA BY MIRNA (Limited Business License)
- Development Solutions, Inc. (Limited Business License)
- GOOSE ISLAND HOLIDAY POP UPS LLC (Pop-Up Retail User)
- BUFFALO WILD WINGS (Retail Food Establishment)
- VIPER ROOM INC (Special Event Liquor)
- Render Goods (Manufacturing Establishments)
- SPECIAL OLYMPICS ILLINOIS (Raffles)