Near North Side · 2026-03
Near North permit values jump 75% to $107M
Permit values climbed to $107 million in March, up from $61 million—a 75% increase on the same 181 permits. Violent crime rose 55%, from 146 incidents to 227, and overall crime was up 24%. E-scooter parking complaints topped 311 requests with 300 reports, ahead of graffiti removal and Divvy bike gripes. New businesses included Motel Bar Chicago & Monty's Chicago and George the Spa. Food inspection failures jumped from 10 to 17.
By the numbers
| Building permits | 181 |
|---|---|
| Declared construction value | $106,735,590 |
| New business licenses | 152 |
| Business closings (proxy) | 0 |
| 311 service requests | 1806 |
| Reported crimes | 868 |
| Violent crimes | 227 |
| Failed food inspections | 17 |
New businesses
- Motel Bar Chicago & Monty's Chicago (Retail Food Establishment)
- ALLIED GLOBAL MARKETING (Limited Business License)
- DDB CHICAGO, INC (Limited Business License)
- MERCHANDISE MART PROPERTIES, INC. (Pop-Up Retail User)
- LA SUSTANCIA (Shared Kitchen User (Long Term))
- GEORGE THE SPA (Limited Business License)
- THE MOVERS, LLC (Limited Business License)
- Levy at The Hand and the Eye (Outdoor Patio)
- Factor Wealth Management, LTD (Limited Business License)
- CHICAGO VALET, INC. (Valet Parking Operator)
Top permit types
- PERMIT – EXPRESS PERMIT PROGRAM — 124
- PERMIT - RENOVATION/ALTERATION — 30
- PERMIT - SIGNS — 9
- PERMIT - ELEVATOR EQUIPMENT — 9
- PERMIT - REINSTATE REVOKED PMT — 4
Top 311 request types
- E-Scooter Parking Complaint — 300
- Graffiti Removal Request — 184
- Divvy Bike Parking Complaint — 181
- Pothole in Street Complaint — 174
- Traffic Signal Out Complaint — 93