recent building permits…
Illinois has 6,566 building permits on file, with 2,519 new permits filed in the last 30 days. That's steady work coming through the system. Chicago dominates permit activity in the state, making it the primary source for construction leads across all trades. Electrical work leads the pack with 1,982 permits, followed by other permit types at 1,692. Roofing comes in at 912 permits and renovation at 861. HVAC, plumbing, and general contracting all show consistent activity. If you're working in any of these trades, Illinois permits represent real jobs with owners who've already committed to construction. Permit data works for contractors because it shows you who's building before they call your competitors. When you track permits in your market, you're seeing projects at the moment they become official. That's when owners are actually ready to hire subs and specialty contractors.
Building permits are the fastest way to find new construction leads in Illinois. When a permit is filed, the project is approved and moving forward. DigPermit's database tracks all permits filed in the state, updated regularly so you see new projects as they're submitted. Filter by trade type, city, and filing date to find jobs that match your services. Electrical contractors, roofers, HVAC specialists, and plumbers all use this data to contact property owners and general contractors before the work is bid out to a full list of vendors.
Chicago is by far the most active city for building permits in Illinois, accounting for the entire permit volume in our current database at 6,566 permits. This makes Chicago the primary market for contractors looking for consistent lead flow. The city's mix of residential, commercial, and renovation work means there's demand across electrical, roofing, HVAC, plumbing, and general contracting. If you service the Chicago area, permit data is your direct line to active projects.
Electrical permits are the most common in Illinois with 1,982 permits on file, making it the top trade by volume. Other permits account for 1,692 filings, roofing has 912, and renovation permits total 861. Commercial permits represent 378 filings. This breakdown tells you where the work is concentrated. Electrical contractors have the largest lead pool, but roofing and renovation also represent solid opportunity. Track permits by type to focus on the work that fits your business.
7,876 recent building permits filed in Illinois.
7,876 permits
Temporary scaffolding: qty: 4, max. length: 100 ft., max. height: 200 ft. location: easst and west elevations. permit expiration date: 365 days from permit issued date this permit…
Tuckpointing and unit masonry repair / replacement: 8000 sq. ft., lintel qty. 0, max. length 0. location: replace bad brick front and back.
Permit expires on 07/28/2026 temporary structure (field level aluminum platforms added to field level, east sideline). note that since this is the 6th year, the original permit iss…
Electrical maintenance permit. occupancy: business. start date: 6/1/2026. end date: 7/1/2026. all work under this permit must be performed by employees of the listed electrical con…
Work includes installation of new non-load bearing partitions to configure new physical fitness studio space. work includes, but is not limited to: demolition, new finishes, new no…
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Self cert 2019 cbc: interior renovation of an existing 4 story masonry building (occupancy group r-2, construction type iiib)
Emergency wreck and remove a 2 story frame residence
Electrical maintenance permit. occupancy: assembly. start date: 6/16/2026. end date: 7/16/2026. all work under this permit must be performed by employees of the listed electrical c…
In-kind replacement of exterior windows and doors in existing openings. replacement windows: 10; replacement skylights: 0; replacement doors: 2. affects: 1 residential unit(s), 0 n…
Install solar panels on roof of principal building. roof type: sloped (2:12 to 5:12). inverter output: 11.5 kw. array output: 0.1056 kw. includes 11.5 kwh energy storage system. lo…
Electrical maintenance permit. occupancy: business. start date: 6/1/2026. end date: 7/1/2026. all work under this permit must be performed by employees of the listed electrical con…
Tuckpointing and unit masonry repair / replacement: 200 sq. ft., lintel qty. 0, max. length 0. concrete masonry repair / replacemnt: 24sq. ft., excavation = no. location: front sta…
Line voltage electrical work. new permanent 400 amp service disconnecting means with 2 circuits. receptacle outlets: 1 . lighting outlets: 1. specific location: back of the buildin…
Tuckpointing and unit masonry repair / replacement: 500 sq. ft., lintel qty. 0, max. length 0. concrete masonry repair / replacemnt: 30sq. ft., excavation = no. location: all eleva…
Line voltage electrical work. add 1 circuits to existing 100 amp service disconnecting means. receptacle outlets: 1 . lighting outlets: 0. electric vehicle supply equipment:1 space…
Self-cert 2019 cbrc: interior alterations including a new toilet room, mechanical distribution, electrical service for cellular retail store. no structural work or changes to demis…
Tuckpointing and unit masonry repair / replacement: 852 sq. ft., lintel qty. 0, max. length 0. location: repair parapet wall - east elevations.
Spr 2019 cbrc: interior demo work only for lvls 13-17 in an existing 22-story building (occupancy b, type ia). scope includes the removal of int. non-structural partitions, doors,…
Line voltage electrical work. new permanent 225 amp service disconnecting means with 1 circuits. receptacle outlets: 1 . lighting outlets: 0. specific location: exterior.
In-kind replacement of exterior windows and doors in existing openings. replacement windows: 11; replacement skylights: 0; replacement doors: 1. affects: 2 residential unit(s), 0 n…