Near West Side · 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.
By the numbers
| Building permits | 134 |
|---|---|
| Declared construction value | $16,918,675 |
| New business licenses | 95 |
| Business closings (proxy) | 0 |
| 311 service requests | 50917 |
| Reported crimes | 738 |
| Violent crimes | 183 |
| Failed food inspections | 17 |
New businesses
- 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)
Top permit types
- PERMIT – EXPRESS PERMIT PROGRAM — 67
- PERMIT - SIGNS — 29
- PERMIT - RENOVATION/ALTERATION — 21
- PERMIT - ELEVATOR EQUIPMENT — 7
- PERMIT - NEW CONSTRUCTION — 6
Top 311 request types
- 311 INFORMATION ONLY CALL — 49488
- Graffiti Removal Request — 232
- Tree Trim Request (NO LONGER BEING ACCEPTED) — 206
- Pothole in Street Complaint — 144
- Traffic Signal Out Complaint — 97