City In Review: Chicago

South Shore · Then vs Now

South Shore: 2024-08 vs 2025-08

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

2024-08 2025-08 Change
Building permits 53 43 -19%
Construction value ($) $1,970,566 $3,978,702 +102%
New business licenses 19 13 -32%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 1,549 1,480 -4%
Reported crimes 765 683 -11%
Violent crimes 291 285 -2%
Failed food inspections 2 0 -100%

2024-08

South Shore construction value plunges 53% in August

South Shore's construction value dropped from $4.2 million in July to just under $2 million in August, a 53% slide. Permits fell slightly from 55 to 53. Express permits accounted for 34 of those, with another dozen going to renovation work and five to signage. One permit reinstated a previously revoked one, and one covered elevator equipment. No businesses opened or closed.

2025-08

South Shore permit value jumps to $4 million

South Shore logged $4 million in building permits this month, up 176% from July's $1.4 million. The 43 permits included 28 through the city's express program—a fast-track option for smaller jobs. Seven permits covered renovations or alterations. No new businesses opened, and the other tracked metrics didn't move.

New businesses — 2024-08

  • CHARLES EDWARD HARRIS (Peddler License)
  • COOL-N-SMOOTH SMOOTHIES INC. (Special Event Food)
  • KAS TUTORIAL LLC (Children's Services Facility License)
  • BIG SALEM INC (Tobacco)
  • BIG SALEM INC (Retail Food Establishment)
  • ADAMS FOOD MART (Retail Food Establishment)
  • CERA (Regulated Business License)
  • ADAMS FOOD MART (Tobacco)
  • SMOKE HUT (Tobacco)
  • SHAYMAR MEDIA PRODUCTIONS LLC (Regulated Business License)

New businesses — 2025-08

  • CEE FILMWORKS (Regulated Business License)
  • SOUTH SHORE CHAMBER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (Pop-Up Retail User)
  • NORFLO HOLDINGS CORPORATION (Special Event Liquor)
  • THE WESTECH GROUP, LLC (Regulated Business License)
  • GOOD FOODS HEALTH CENTER LLC (Retail Food Establishment)
  • Royal Pawz (Animal Care License)
  • BIG SALEM INC (Tobacco)
  • SMOKE HUT (Tobacco)
  • ELAINE INGRAM (Peddler License)
  • ADAMS FOOD MART (Tobacco)