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

Supreme Court declines to hear felony gun possession case

Supreme Court declines to hear felony gun possession case

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to decide whether individuals with felony records can be permanently disarmed under the Second Amendment. The court declined...
Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker blasts Trump military action

Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker blasts Trump military action

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says President Donald Trump is once again sidestepping the Constitution and failing to...
Plastics industry applauds Trump's focus on strengthening manufacturing

Plastics industry applauds Trump’s focus on strengthening manufacturing

By Tate MillerThe Center Square The plastics industry is pleased by President Donald Trump’s mention at the State of the Union of strengthening manufacturing in the nation, with an industry...

Everyday Economics: The Fed’s labor-market reality check

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square Last week wasn’t about a single data point. It was about a shift in tone from policymakers: the labor market may be weaker than the...
Trump: Iran operations to continue until objectives achieved

Trump: Iran operations to continue until objectives achieved

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Combat operations will continue in Iran at “full force” until American “objectives are achieved,” President Donald Trump said during his second address to the nation...
Casey Westfield School Board.2

Junior High and High School Teams Capture Titles and Awards

Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | Feb. 23, 2026 Article Summary: Casey-Westfield student-athletes and academic teams secured several victories in February, including a conference championship for the 7th-grade volleyball team and...
marshall city graphic logo.1

Marshall Authorizes Nearly $800,000 for Lead Line Replacements and Route 1 Utility Projects

City of Marshall City Council Meeting | February 23, 2026 Article Summary: The Marshall City Council approved massive investments in local utility infrastructure on Monday, authorizing over $435,000 for lead...
Black Chicagoans disproportionately face force by CPD

Black Chicagoans disproportionately face force by CPD

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – American Civil Liberties Union Director Alexandra Block argues a new study showing black city residents disproportionately...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: City Council of Casey for February 17, 2026

City Council of Casey Meeting | February 17, 2026 The Casey City Council met on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, to approve property acquisitions, infrastructure easements, and community agreements. The meeting...
Physicians assistants leave for Iowa due to licensing wait times in Illinois

Physicians assistants leave for Iowa due to licensing wait times in Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State lawmakers say physician assistants are leaving for Iowa because it takes so long to get licensed...
Illinois quick hits: Chicago debt deal pushes payments down road

Illinois quick hits: Chicago debt deal pushes payments down road

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Chicago debt deal pushes payments down road Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is reportedly structuring the city’s debt with a deal that...
Republican candidates for governor, U.S. Senate discuss energy, SCOTUS

Republican candidates for governor, U.S. Senate discuss energy, SCOTUS

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Candidates vying for the Republican nomination to take on Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker lay out how they’d...
Illinois Quick Hits: Indiana governor signs Bears stadium bill

Illinois Quick Hits: Indiana governor signs Bears stadium bill

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Bears say they are grateful for the leadership shown by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun after...
marshall city graphic logo.2

Marshall City Council Passes Ordinances Regulating Underage Vaping and Drug Paraphernalia

City of Marshall City Council Meeting | February 23, 2026 Article Summary: The Marshall City Council unanimously approved two municipal code amendments on Monday, formally updating the city's regulations concerning...
Microsoft hit with IL biometric class action over Teams call transcriptions

Microsoft hit with IL biometric class action over Teams call transcriptions

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Microsoft has been hit with a class action lawsuit under Illinois' stringent biometrics privacy law, potentially worth many millions or even hundreds...