August 26, 2025/

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

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

76th Annual Clark Couty 4-H BBQ
76th Annual Clark Couty 4-H BBQ
13 Sep 25
The Quiver and Bow
The Quiver and Bow
4 Oct 25
06 Oct
Casey City Council Board Meeting
6 Oct 25
Grissom Family Orchard AppleFest
Grissom Family Orchard AppleFest
11 Oct 25
Whte Oak Church Free Monday Meal
Whte Oak Church Free Monday Meal
13 Oct 25
2025 Clark County Shrine Pagent
2025 Clark County Shrine Pagent
26 Oct 25
03 Nov
Casey City Council Board Meeting
3 Nov 25
Whte Oak Church Free Monday Meal
Whte Oak Church Free Monday Meal
10 Nov 25
01 Dec
Casey City Council Board Meeting
1 Dec 25
Whte Oak Church Free Monday Meal
Whte Oak Church Free Monday Meal
8 Dec 25
05 Jan
Casey City Council Board Meeting
5 Jan 26
Whte Oak Church Free Monday Meal
Whte Oak Church Free Monday Meal
12 Jan 26

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Texas House Democrats may return after first special session is over

Texas House Democrats may return after first special session is over

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square After the Texas House didn’t reach a quorum on Tuesday, the Texas House Democratic Caucus said absconding House Democrats would return after the first special...
Illegal border crossings reach lowest level in recorded US history in July

Illegal border crossings reach lowest level in recorded US history in July

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Illegal border crossings nationwide dropped to their lowest level in recorded history in July, according to the latest U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. “CBP...
GE Appliances announces $3 billion investment in U.S. production

GE Appliances announces $3 billion investment in U.S. production

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square GE Appliances announced a $3 billion investment over the next five years to increase production at facilities across the country. The appliance manufacturer, whose parent...
VA reduces benefits backlog as concerns linger over potential cuts

VA reduces benefits backlog as concerns linger over potential cuts

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Department of Veterans Affairs said it processed more disability benefits compensation and pension ratings claims in a year than ever before, despite concerns that...
DOJ settles West Point lawsuit over race-based admissions

DOJ settles West Point lawsuit over race-based admissions

By Chris WadeThe Center Square The Justice Department has reached a settlement with the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to resolve a federal lawsuit targeting the elite schools over...
Texas AG Paxton files motion of contempt against O’Rourke

Texas AG Paxton files motion of contempt against O’Rourke

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a motion for contempt against former U.S. Rep. Robert Francis (Beto) O’Rourke claiming he violated a temporary restraining...
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Wednesday Aug. 13th, 2025

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Wednesday Aug. 13th, 2025

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 shares comments from...
Illinois law empowers officials to crack down on predatory towing

Illinois law empowers officials to crack down on predatory towing

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Beginning Jan. 1, a new Illinois law cracks down on predatory towing by letting the Illinois...
Texas Supreme Court sets expedited schedule in Paxton, 13 House Dems case

Texas Supreme Court sets expedited schedule in Paxton, 13 House Dems case

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Texas Supreme Court has set an expedited schedule in a case filed by Attorney General Ken Paxton requesting the court remove 13 Texas House...
Texas Supreme Court sets expedited briefing schedule in Abbott-Wu case

Texas Supreme Court sets expedited briefing schedule in Abbott-Wu case

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Texas Supreme Court has set an expedited briefing schedule in a case filed by Gov. Greg Abbott to remove from office House Democratic Caucus...
Illinois quick hits: Former Chicago schools dean sentenced for sexual assault

Illinois quick hits: Former Chicago schools dean sentenced for sexual assault

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Former Chicago schools dean sentenced for sexual assault A former Chicago public school dean has been sentenced to 22 years in...
Friday meeting with Putin a ‘listening exercise’ for Trump, Leavitt says

Friday meeting with Putin a ‘listening exercise’ for Trump, Leavitt says

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Tuesday that the president’s expectations for his Friday meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin aren’t perhaps as high...
S&P 500, Nasdaq enjoy record day

S&P 500, Nasdaq enjoy record day

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Two of the major three stock indices closed at all-time highs Tuesday amidst speculation that the Federal Reserve may reduce interest rates in September. The...
Trump condemns possible low-income housing Pacific Palisades rebuild

Trump condemns possible low-income housing Pacific Palisades rebuild

By Kenneth SchruppThe Center Square President Donald Trump condemned the possibility of building low-income housing in the Pacific Palisades, and the City of Los Angeles’s slow issuance of rebuilding permits...
Pro-marijuana groups claim reclassification would be good for businesses

Pro-marijuana groups claim reclassification would be good for businesses

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration is looking to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, which could lessen criminal penalties and expand banking opportunities for companies in...