August 26, 2025/

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

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

Debate grows over bill on gender, abortion care access in child placement

Debate grows over bill on gender, abortion care access in child placement

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A proposed law could allow child services to consider a child’s gender identity and access to abortion...
Lawsuit: D300 secretly gender transitioned student; Seeks to nix IL gender ‘guidance,’ too

Lawsuit: D300 secretly gender transitioned student; Seeks to nix IL gender ‘guidance,’ too

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A mother from Chicago's far northwest suburbs has lodged a lawsuit against her child's public school district, accusing Community Unit School District...

WATCH: Family farm’s decade-long water war with Ecology waiting on WA Supreme Court

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square More than nine years after a legal battle began between a Grant County family farm and the Washington Department of Ecology, the two sides are...
Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Casey-Westfield Baseball Powers Past Paris in 10-6 Home Victory

The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team secured a decisive 10-6 victory over Paris on Thursday, utilizing a high-powered offense to overcome an early deficit and claim the non-conference win at home....
Trump says tariffs never came up during China trip

Trump says tariffs never came up during China trip

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Friday that tariffs never came up during his two-day trip to China, even as his administration works to replace a tariff...
IL biometric privacy suits say tech companies used broadcasters’ work to train AI

IL biometric privacy suits say tech companies used broadcasters’ work to train AI

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square CHICAGO — Some of America's biggest tech companies have been hit with class action lawsuits under Illinois' stringent biometrics privacy law, accusing...
Illinois Quick Hits: Report shows 8% of Cook County offenders on electronic monitoring AWOL

Illinois Quick Hits: Report shows 8% of Cook County offenders on electronic monitoring AWOL

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A report from a Cook County judge revealed that 8% of people participating in the electronic monitoring...
Fed funding of pediatrics group questioned over its gender ideology stance

Fed funding of pediatrics group questioned over its gender ideology stance

By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square Parental rights group the American Parents Coalition is urging Congress to review federal funding of the American Academy of Pediatrics, alleging that the organization prioritizes...
Trump’s ‘historic’ visit to China yields some economic, less geopolitical fruits

Trump’s ‘historic’ visit to China yields some economic, less geopolitical fruits

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump returned Friday from his first diplomatic visit to China since 2017, heralding the ‘historic’ nature of the trip. Former President Joe Biden...
GOP congressional candidate calls single-stream recycling a ‘sham’

GOP congressional candidate calls single-stream recycling a ‘sham’

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Republican congressional candidate Angel Oakley says much of the material Americans place in recycling bins ultimately...
Minnesota GOP calls for removal of Rep. Gomez after 'sickening' exchange

Minnesota GOP calls for removal of Rep. Gomez after ‘sickening’ exchange

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Minnesota House Republican leaders are calling for the removal of Rep. Aisha Gomez after a verbal altercation with Rep. Elliott Engen on the House floor...
Census: Majority of fastest growing cities in U.S. are in Texas

Census: Majority of fastest growing cities in U.S. are in Texas

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Eight of the 15 fastest growing cities in the U.S. were reported in Texas, according to newly released U.S. Census Bureau data. Fort Worth also...
Michigan House Republicans demand Benson release SPLC records

Michigan House Republicans demand Benson release SPLC records

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Michigan House Republicans passed a resolution calling on Michigan Secretary of State and Democrat gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson to release records tied to her past...
Lone Tennessee U.S. House Democrat, Cohen, says he’s done

Lone Tennessee U.S. House Democrat, Cohen, says he’s done

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Rep. Steve Cohen, Tennessee’s lone Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives, said Friday morning he will not seek reelection in the newly drawn 9th...
Illinois Quick Hits: Madigan: 'Accept the federal scholarship tax credit'

Illinois Quick Hits: Madigan: ‘Accept the federal scholarship tax credit’

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan – from federal prison over corruption charges – penned an op-ed...