Illinois quick hits: Chicago businesses at 10-year low; school admin survey closes soon

Illinois quick hits: Chicago businesses at 10-year low; school admin survey closes soon

August 26, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Chicago businesses at 10-year low

The number of businesses operating in Chicago has reached a 10-year low.

Citing city license data, the Illinois Policy Institute said Chicago had 44,840 businesses operating in the city last year, down from 54,135 in 2015.

The Magnificent Mile area saw the largest decline with a 51% drop over the past decade.

School admin survey closes soon

The Illinois State Board of Education is asking school district administrators to complete the board’s Modernization District Survey this week.

ISBE says the request is part of an effort to modernize data systems, reduce duplication and build secure, user-friendly tools.

The survey closes on Friday, Aug. 29.

Increased U of I football security

The University of Illinois Division of Public Safety and the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics have added walk-through metal-detection systems for home football games at Memorial Stadium.

Officials say Fighting Illini fans will have a similar entry experience to those at other major sports venues around the country.

The Illini home opener is scheduled this Friday evening against the Leathernecks of Western Illinois.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Americans could face 'sticker shock' as once-small tax exemption ends

Americans could face ‘sticker shock’ as once-small tax exemption ends

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Americans could be in for a surprise when a nearly century-old trade rule that allowed shoppers to avoid President Donald Trump's tariffs expires on Friday....
'Pro-taxpayer' law requires operators to clean up abandoned Illinois oil wells

‘Pro-taxpayer’ law requires operators to clean up abandoned Illinois oil wells

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A state lawmaker says recently-signed legislation will ensure that Illinois taxpayers don’t foot the bill for cleaning...
Black-only medical directory must open to all races after lawsuit

Black-only medical directory must open to all races after lawsuit

By Tate MillerThe Center Square After a lawsuit from medical group Do No Harm, a Philadelphia-based directory of Black physicians is now open to all races. The directory entitled “Black...
Embattled Fed governor sues Trump over 'illegal' firing

Embattled Fed governor sues Trump over ‘illegal’ firing

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A Federal Reserve governor accused of mortgage fraud filed a lawsuit Thursday alleging her firing was "unprecedented and illegal." Trump fired Federal Reserve Governor Lisa...
Watch: Cook County gun ban plaintiffs petition SCOTUS; Pritzker hasn’t heard from White House

Watch: Cook County gun ban plaintiffs petition SCOTUS; Pritzker hasn’t heard from White House

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop gets to the...
Illinois quick hits: Man on pretrial release accused of murder; holiday weekend impaired driving patrols

Illinois quick hits: Man on pretrial release accused of murder; holiday weekend impaired driving patrols

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Man on pretrial release accused of murder After reportedly violating curfew dozens of times while wearing an ankle monitor, a man...
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Beecher Library Schedules New Window Installation for Early August

Article Summary: New windows are scheduled to be installed at the Beecher Public Library on Friday, August 1, a project intended to improve the building's infrastructure. The work is expected...
Illinois quick hits: Gun ban challengers petition SCOTUS; man sentenced for COVID fraud

Illinois quick hits: Gun ban challengers petition SCOTUS; man sentenced for COVID fraud

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Gun ban challengers petition SCOTUS The Second Amendment Foundation is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take a challenge to Cook...
WATCH: Trump: Illinois’ 'slob of a governor' should call for help with public safety

WATCH: Trump: Illinois’ ‘slob of a governor’ should call for help with public safety

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he has not received communication from the federal government about potential troop...
beecher illinois public library graphic.1

Beecher Library Awarded Over $10,000 in State Per Capita Grant

Article Summary: The Beecher Public Library District will receive $10,013.78 in state funding through the Public Library Per Capita Grant program. The grant, awarded by the Illinois Secretary of State's...
WATCH: Legislator says Illinois’ child welfare agency uses interns, has legal exposure

WATCH: Legislator says Illinois’ child welfare agency uses interns, has legal exposure

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois state legislator insists the state’s child welfare agency is violating the law by using interns...
Economic index shows reduced uncertainty, more stability in Midwest

Economic index shows reduced uncertainty, more stability in Midwest

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Survey of Economic Conditions Activity Index suggests more stability and less...
New law sparks debate over Illinois school mergers, communities fear loss

New law sparks debate over Illinois school mergers, communities fear loss

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new law that could push school districts to study possible consolidation, aiming for efficiency and...
Illinois in Focus: Rest area burglary arrests made; overdose awareness events planned

Illinois in Focus: Rest area burglary arrests made; overdose awareness events planned

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Rest area burglary arrests made Two men have been detained in connection with a reported burglary at the northbound Interstate 57...
Trump-appointed judge blasts administration for campaign against judiciary

Trump-appointed judge blasts administration for campaign against judiciary

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square A federal judge dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit against all 15 federal district judges in Maryland Tuesday, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of the case and...