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.

Events

No events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Temporary Rockford Courthouse fence sparks debate over security and costs

Temporary Rockford Courthouse fence sparks debate over security and costs

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A temporary fence surrounding the federal courthouse in downtown Rockford, Illinois is drawing sharp criticism and...
Illinois quick hits: Report: Suspect pictured with Pritzker; more immigration arrests

Illinois quick hits: Report: Suspect pictured with Pritzker; more immigration arrests

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Report: Suspect pictured with Pritzker Less than a week before a smash-and-grab burglary led to a fatal wreck on Chicago’s Magnificent...
Illinois quick hits: Suspect in custody after state senator's home struck with gunfire

Illinois quick hits: Suspect in custody after state senator’s home struck with gunfire

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Suspect in custody after state senator's home struck with gunfire A suspect is in custody after two homes were damaged by...

WATCH: Governor candidate: Low-cost districts shine while most IL schools spend, fail

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – According to a Republican candidate for Illinois governor, schools in the state can succeed without spending big....

WATCH: Pritzker threatens executive action regulating hemp if legislature won’t act

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) − After previous attempts were unsuccessful, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he may take executive action to address...

WATCH: Illinois congresswoman OK withholding federal tax funds to change state policy

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois congresswoman says she’s OK with plans of withholding federal tax dollars from Illinois if it...
Chicago mayor: 'We do not have a spending problem' as spending, deficit grows

Chicago mayor: ‘We do not have a spending problem’ as spending, deficit grows

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Mayor Brandon Johnson says Chicago does not have a spending problem, even as city government spending soars...
WATCH: Trump calls Pritzker ’nothing’ in public safety push; U.S. Rep. Mary Miller live

WATCH: Trump calls Pritzker ’nothing’ in public safety push; U.S. Rep. Mary Miller live

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 airs the latest...
Illinois quick hits: Three dead outside Berwyn school; steady economic conditions reported

Illinois quick hits: Three dead outside Berwyn school; steady economic conditions reported

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Three dead outside Berwyn school A Berwyn middle school is closed for instruction today after three people died in what authorities...
Screenshot 2025-09-23 at 7.52.00 PM

Beecher Officials Scrutinize Lennar Homes Construction, Reaffirm Stricter Electrical Code

Article Summary: Following a detailed presentation from the local fire chief highlighting significant safety concerns about building materials and practices in new Lennar Homes, the Beecher Village Board reached a...
Beecher Graphic.3

Beecher Board Paves Way for New Daycare Facility on Dixie Highway

Article Summary: The Beecher Village Board has directed its attorney to draft an ordinance granting a special use permit that would allow an existing children's play facility to expand its...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Village of Beecher Board of Trustees for September 8, 2025

The Beecher Village Board tackled significant public safety and development issues at its September 8 meeting, dominated by a discussion over construction practices in the new Lennar Homes subdivision. Following...
WATCH: Illinois prison mail scanning rule faces lawmaker scrutiny

WATCH: Illinois prison mail scanning rule faces lawmaker scrutiny

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Emergency rules from the Illinois Department of Corrections to scan inmate mail are under review by...
Illinois quick hits: Edgar funeral details released; O'Hare measles exposure warning

Illinois quick hits: Edgar funeral details released; O’Hare measles exposure warning

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Edgar funeral details released Funeral services have been announced for former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar. The public can pay last respects...
Beecher Fire Protection District graphic.2

Beecher Fire District Board Approves 2025-2026 Budget

Article Summary: The Beecher Fire Protection District Board of Trustees unanimously approved its budget and appropriations ordinance for the upcoming fiscal year following a brief public hearing at its July...