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
Self-cert 2019 cbrc: interior alterations to suite 2850. work to include demo, new partitions, ceiling, lighting, pantry equipment, casework, and select mep infrastructure. occupan…
Electrical maintenance permit. occupancy: institutional. start date: 5/21/2026. end date: 11/17/2026. all work under this permit must be performed by employees of the listed electr…
Scope: roof replacement. area: 67500 sq. ft. roof covering: other. location: roof top. il roofing contractor license: 104176771.
Electrical maintenance permit. occupancy: institutional. start date: 5/21/2026. end date: 11/17/2026. all work under this permit must be performed by employees of the listed electr…
Line voltage electrical work. add 1 circuits to existing 100 amp service disconnecting means. receptacle outlets: 1 . lighting outlets: 0. 13.5 kwh lithium ion energy storage syste…
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Electrical maintenance permit. occupancy: institutional. start date: 5/21/2026. end date: 11/17/2026. all work under this permit must be performed by employees of the listed electr…
2019 cbrc: constriction of new 19'-5" x 9'-10.5" prefabricated pergola on existing private frame garage roof deck as per plans. (existing/proposed construction: v; existing/propose…
Electrical maintenance permit. occupancy: institutional. start date: 5/21/2026. end date: 11/17/2026. all work under this permit must be performed by employees of the listed electr…
Install solar panels on roof of principal building. roof type: sloped (2:12 to 5:12). inverter output: 9.6 kw. array output: 7.04 kw. includes 19.85 kwh energy storage system. loca…
New detached wood frame garage. dimensions and setbacks per application. building outside dimensions: 24'-0' ' x22'-0' '. gable roof height to peak: 15'-0' '.
Self-cert 2019 cbc: alteration to existing detached masonry 3-car one story garage accessory to two flat residence (occupancy group r5; type iiib construction)
Electrical maintenance permit. occupancy: education. start date: 5/21/2026. end date: 11/17/2026. all work under this permit must be performed by employees of the listed electrical…
Repair or in-kind replacement of 1 plumbing fixtures as described in permit application. includes repair or replacment of plumbing piping. includes repair or replacement of plumbin…
Line voltage electrical work. repair or alter devices on existing circuits. receptacle outlets: 1 . lighting outlets: 1. specific location: mechanical room.
Scope: roof replacement. area: 819 sq. ft. roof covering: other. location: home roof. il roofing contractor license: 104020004.
Tuckpointing and unit masonry repair / replacement: 529 sq. ft., lintel qty. 3, max. length 10. location: south and west elevations.
Tuckpointing and unit masonry repair / replacement: 6339 sq. ft., lintel qty. 14, max. length 12. location: front and side.
Low voltage/communication electrical work. install security. specific location: trauma hallway cameras.
Install solar panels on roof of principal building. roof type: steep (>5:12). inverter output: 10 kw. array output: 5.265 kw. includes 15 kwh energy storage system. location: roof…
Scope: nonstructural interior alteration to existing mechanical, plumbing and electrical at existing lab.locations: 0 residential unit(s), 1 non-residential unit(s), 6th floor room…