City In Review: Chicago

Lower West Side · 2026-03

Permit value doubles to $5.6M in Lower West Side

Construction permits jumped 58% to 38 in March, with total value hitting $5.6 million — more than double February's $2.4 million. Two dozen express permits led the way. New business licenses included MR QUILES MEXICAN FOOD (multiple mobile and special event permits), OOMAT FOOD, and LA MINERVHA. Service requests ticked up 4% to 1,393, driven by 429 graffiti removal calls. Crime rose 11% overall to 207 incidents, but violent offenses dropped 17% to 58. Three food establishments failed inspections, down from four.

By the numbers

Building permits38
Declared construction value$5,555,785
New business licenses36
Business closings (proxy)0
311 service requests1393
Reported crimes207
Violent crimes58
Failed food inspections3

New businesses

Top permit types

Top 311 request types

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