South Chicago · Then vs Now
South Chicago: 2025-03 vs 2026-03
A side-by-side look at how South Chicago shifted between two periods.
| 2025-03 | 2026-03 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building permits | 18 | 21 | +17% |
| Construction value ($) | $223,019 | $624,985 | +180% |
| New business licenses | 8 | 6 | -25% |
| Business closings (proxy) | 0 | 0 | — |
| 311 service requests | 895 | 975 | +9% |
| Reported crimes | 287 | 304 | +6% |
| Violent crimes | 104 | 124 | +19% |
| Failed food inspections | 3 | 4 | +33% |
2025-03
South Chicago permits plunge from $977k to $223k
Permit value in South Chicago dropped 77% in March, falling to $223,000 from $977,000 the month before. The neighborhood issued 18 permits—three fewer than February—with 14 filed under the express program. No businesses opened or closed. Service requests ticked up 15% to 895, paced by 70 complaints about garbage cart maintenance. Streetlight outages and abandoned vehicles each drew 59 calls. Crime rose 21% to 287 incidents. Violent offenses climbed 27% to 104. Three food spots failed inspections, up from one in February.
2026-03
South Chicago permit value jumps 61% to $625k
Building permits in South Chicago climbed to $625k in March, up 61% from February's $389k, though the permit count barely budged (21 vs. 20). Express permits led the way with 14 approvals. Six new businesses opened, including Market Pam Tropical, Save A Lot #61314, and Valentine Africa Hair Braiding. Service requests spiked 32% to 975, with streetlight outages (79), garbage cart issues (75), and abandoned vehicles (74) taking the top slots. Reported crime rose 27% to 304 incidents, including 124 violent offenses. Food inspection failures quadrupled from one to four.
New businesses — 2025-03
- SOUTH SIDE COLLECTIONS CORP. (Regulated Business License)
- LAKE SHORE APPLIANCES INC. (Limited Business License)
- THE CHILDREN'S GARDEN ACADEMY INC. (Children's Services Facility License)
- METRO BY T-MOBILE (Limited Business License)
- GOOD SAMARITAN AUTO REPAIR (Motor Vehicle Services License)
- GLOSSYGLAZZSSMOKE SHOP (Tobacco)
- DO ALL GLASS AND MORE (Regulated Business License)
- HOW ITS DONE PROFESIONAL PAINTING (Regulated Business License)
New businesses — 2026-03
- DWIGHT LEE SOLOMON (Peddler License)
- VALENTINE AFRICA HAIR BRAIDING (Limited Business License)
- MARKET PAM TROPICAL (Retail Food Establishment)
- SAVE A LOT #61314 (Retail Food Establishment)
- GLOSSYGLAZZSSMOKE SHOP (Tobacco)
- ABOOD FOOD MARKET INC. (Retail Food Establishment)