City In Review: Chicago

Near West Side · 2026-03

Near West Side permit value hits $91.5M, up 441%

Permit value in Near West Side jumped to $91.5 million in March, up from $16.9 million the month before. The surge came despite 26 fewer permits issued—108 this month versus 134 in February. Express permits led the way with 65, followed by 22 renovation jobs. New businesses included Hibachi Go and Bacci Pizza. Crime rose 10%, with violent offenses up 16% to 212. Service requests climbed 11% to 56,656, though more than 54,000 were logged as information-only calls. Failed food inspections dropped to 10 from 17.

By the numbers

Building permits108
Declared construction value$91,500,077
New business licenses86
Business closings (proxy)0
311 service requests56656
Reported crimes813
Violent crimes212
Failed food inspections10

New businesses

Top permit types

Top 311 request types

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