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

Illinois has most government units, but consolidation brings challenges

Illinois has most government units, but consolidation brings challenges

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new report says Illinois is among the most fragmented states in the nation when it comes...
Illinois quick hits: Southwest to lay off 107 as O'Hare service ends

Illinois quick hits: Southwest to lay off 107 as O’Hare service ends

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Southwest to lay off 107 as O'Hare service ends According to an Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice, 107...
State House passes 133 bills, many potential impacts for Illinoisans

State House passes 133 bills, many potential impacts for Illinoisans

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois House of Representatives passed a total of 133 bills last week, sending them to the...
Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Breese Central Powers Past Casey-Westfield 7-1 in Saturday Afternoon Clash

The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team saw its Saturday momentum stifled in the afternoon cap of a home slate, falling 7-1 to a formidable Breese Central squad in non-conference action at...
Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Early Offensive Surge Propels Casey-Westfield Past Farina South Central 6-4

The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team relied on a flurry of early-inning offense to secure a 6-4 non-conference victory over visiting Farina South Central on Saturday morning at Jerald Barr Field....
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Goble Tosses Shutout, Homers to Lead Casey-Westfield Past Murphysboro 3-0

Senior Ava Goble delivered a masterful two-way performance on Saturday, pitching a complete-game shutout and hitting a home run to propel the Casey-Westfield varsity softball team to a 3-0 home...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Casey-Westfield Holds Off Central A & M Rally for 5-4 Tournament Victory

The Casey-Westfield varsity softball team successfully fended off a mid-game surge to secure a 5-4 victory over Central A & M in Saturday's home tournament matchup. Behind early offensive fireworks...
Screenshot 2026-04-08 at 5.36.26 PM

Casey Police Department to Receive Upgraded Tasers in $59,778 Agreement

Casey City Council Meeting | April 6, 2026 Article Summary: The Casey Police Department will phase out its obsolete Taser equipment after the City Council approved a new five-year, $59,778...
Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Walk-Off Winner: Pruemer’s Complete Game Lifts Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg Over Casey-Westfield

The Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg varsity baseball team secured a thrilling 4-3 walk-off victory over Casey-Westfield on Friday, using a bottom-of-the-seventh rally to cap off a gritty non-conference win at home. Junior Noah...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Goble, Bonds Go Deep as Casey-Westfield Offense Overwhelms BHRA, 17-4

An unrelenting offensive attack propelled the Casey-Westfield varsity softball team to a commanding 17-4 non-conference victory over Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin (BHRA) on Thursday. The visitors combined for 19 hits, including a pair...
Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Lock’s Homer, Jones’ Complete Game Power Cumberland Past Casey-Westfield, 7-4

The Cumberland varsity baseball team used a middle-inning offensive surge, highlighted by a Lance Lock home run, to defeat visiting Casey-Westfield 7-4 in Thursday's non-conference matchup in Toledo. Junior Lance...
Generic Track & Field Graphic

Casey-Westfield Men, Marshall Women Capture Team Titles at Quad Meet

CASEY, Ill. — The Casey-Westfield men's track and field team defended its home turf, while the Marshall women's squad put on a dominant display on the oval to claim team...
Screenshot 2026-04-08 at 5.36.18 PM

Casey City Council Secures Final Easements for I-70 Sewer Extension Project

Casey City Council Meeting | April 6, 2026 Article Summary: Following months of negotiations, the City of Casey has officially secured the final three land easements required to push the...
WATCH: California probe ends $267M in alleged hospice fraud

WATCH: California probe ends $267M in alleged hospice fraud

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced the results of a massive hospice fraud bust in Los Angeles County. Known as Operation Skip Trace, the...
Ex-Blago attorney: Quid pro quo is key to Madigan appeal

Ex-Blago attorney: Quid pro quo is key to Madigan appeal

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A federal appeals court heard oral arguments Thursday as judges consider former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s...