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
Concrete masonry repair / replacemnt: 300sq. ft., excavation = . location: all elevations.
Tuckpointing and unit masonry repair / replacement: 144 sq. ft., lintel qty. 4, max. length 4. location: south elevation.
Installation of shell logo sign on the south side of canopy
Electrical maintenance permit. occupancy: assembly. start date: 5/21/2026. end date: 8/19/2026. all work under this permit must be performed by employees of the listed electrical c…
Spr 2019 cbrc: alteration of an elevated exterior courtyard concrete on steel walkway in a 14 du condominium building - replace existing slab and framing with similar. no interior…
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Repair/replacement affecting 1 systems : 1 rooftop packaged unit(daikin, cahoiggdcm ahu, rooftop penthouse) 1 rooftop packaged unit(daikin, dc5a025, roof east) 1 rooftop packaged u…
Scope: roof replacement. area: 1526 sq. ft. roof covering: mineral - surfaced roll roofing. location: on the roof top of building. il roofing contractor license: 104018798.
Purpose: new/replacement installation. wood fence - 6'-0' ' (height) x 258'-0' ' (length). location: installation of wood fence on the n and s sides..
Temporary scaffolding: qty: 1, max. length: 120 ft., max. height: 90 ft. location: all elevations. permit expiration date: 365 days from permit issued date this permit is not valid…
Scope: roof replacement. area: 28 sq. ft. roof covering: other. location: roof (roof). il roofing contractor license: 104017584.
Self-cert 2019 cbc: interior alterations of existing tenant offices on the 8th floor. scope of work includes 1,961 sq ft at suite 875. no change to group b occupancy or constructio…
Tuckpointing and unit masonry repair / replacement: 4200 sq. ft., lintel qty. 0, max. length 0. parapet rebuilding: 20 sq. ft. location: north and west facades.
Repair/replacement affecting 1 systems : 10 rooftop packaged unit(lg arum241dte5) . electrical work under this permit = no . locations: 2 residential unit(s), 0 non-residential uni…
Line voltage electrical work. repair or alter devices on existing circuits. receptacle outlets: 10 . lighting outlets: 10. specific location: kitchen.
Line voltage electrical work. new permanent 200 amp service disconnecting means with 1 circuits. receptacle outlets: 1 . lighting outlets: 0. specific location: electrical service.
Tuckpointing and unit masonry repair / replacement: 300 sq. ft., lintel qty. 0, max. length 0. location: courtyard.
Spr 2019 cbrc: repairs to existing rear stairs and adjacent enclosed porch (occupancy group r-2; type iiia construction), per plans
For permit 101072291: replacement general contractor. new contractor(s) listed under "other applicants and contractors" on permit certificate.
Purpose: new/replacement installation. wood fence - 6'-0' ' (height) x 104'-0' ' (length). location: side and rear yard of the property.
Repair or in-kind replacement of 5 plumbing fixtures as described in permit application. includes repair or replacment of plumbing piping. locations: 0 residential unit(s), 1 non-r…