City In Review: Chicago

Ohare · 2026-02

O'Hare new-business licenses collapse from 128 to six

New business licenses in O'Hare fell 95% in February—from 128 the month before to just six. The handful of arrivals included Terminal Getaway Spa (three separate license records) and Damar Bakery. Meanwhile, 27,708 of the neighborhood's 27,942 service requests were aircraft noise complaints, up 12% from January. Permit count dropped by more than half to 12, though their dollar value more than tripled to $1.39 million. Crime fell 20% to 86 incidents, and four food establishments failed inspections, double January's count.

By the numbers

Building permits12
Declared construction value$1,392,400
New business licenses6
Business closings (proxy)0
311 service requests27942
Reported crimes86
Violent crimes20
Failed food inspections4

New businesses

Top permit types

Top 311 request types

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