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
Purpose: new/replacement installation. wood fence - 6'-0' ' (height) x 50'-0' ' (length). location: fence.
Ada modifications: construct a wooden deck, stairs and handrails at the front of the house.
Install solar panels on roof of principal building. roof type: sloped (2:12 to 5:12). inverter output: 13 kw. array output: 17.6 kw. includes 19.85 kwh energy storage system. locat…
Repair (26% to 50%) for wood deck (non-rooftop) (quantity: 1, location: rear of building). landing: 100 square feet. landing not more than 6 feet above ground.
Spr 2019 cbc: revision to permit 101032326 to reconfigure stair and elevator cores, change 2nd flr structure from wood and steel to all steel, and expand area of 1st floor commerci…
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Wreck and remove a 2 story frame residence and a detached frame garage
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. repair or alter devices on existing circuits. receptacle outlets: 0 . lighting outlets: 42. specific location: exterior up lights at floor 2.
Wrfeck and remove a 1 story masonry building down to grade
Scope: roof replacement. area: 9100 sq. ft. roof covering: other. location: roof top. il roofing contractor license: 104000268.
Line voltage electrical work. add 17 circuits to existing 200 amp service disconnecting means. receptacle outlets: 56 . lighting outlets: 26. specific location: complete interior w…
Self-cert 2019 cbrc: tenant buildout of 16,626 sf office space on 2nd floor (occupancy group b; type 1a construction). as per plans.
Non-illuminated double faced post & panel directional sign; 12 sq/ft; east lot location; n/s facing text; uchicago
Concrete masonry repair / replacemnt: 100sq. ft., excavation = . location: replace existing foundation wall in basment.
For permit 101058242: replacement plumbing contractor. additional plumbing contractor. new contractor(s) listed under "other applicants and contractors" on permit certificate.
Tuckpointing and unit masonry repair / replacement: 200 sq. ft., lintel qty. 0, max. length 0. location: south, east, and west exterior facades..
Tuckpointing and unit masonry repair / replacement: 500 sq. ft., lintel qty. 0, max. length 0. location: south and east elevation.
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…
Tuckpointing and unit masonry repair / replacement: 50 sq. ft., lintel qty. 1, max. length 5. parapet rebuilding: 40 sq. ft. location: front and west elevation.
Illuminated double faced monument sign; 81 sq/ft s/e lot location; n/w & s/e facing text; uchicago