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

Trump Kennedy Center to close for two years; over $250M secured for renovations

Trump Kennedy Center to close for two years; over $250M secured for renovations

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Those hoping to catch a show at the Trump Kennedy Center will only have a few months before it closes for a two-year renovation, President...
House GOP leaders face pushback from own members on funding bill

House GOP leaders face pushback from own members on funding bill

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As the federal government enters its third day of a partial shutdown, House Republicans are bickering over Senate changes to the $1.2 trillion funding package,...
Lawmakers discuss budget, spending, tax credits as Illinois Senate returns

Lawmakers discuss budget, spending, tax credits as Illinois Senate returns

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Senate Appropriations Committee chair says greater federal scrutiny of state government spending will not change...
Nearly 2,200 Seattle-area jobs included in latest round of Amazon corporate layoffs

Nearly 2,200 Seattle-area jobs included in latest round of Amazon corporate layoffs

By Brett DavisThe Center Square Amazon is cutting approximately 2,200 corporate roles from the Seattle area as part of the company’s broader 16,000-person global layoff, according to a filing with...
Trump to slash tariffs on Indian imports after deal on Russian oil

Trump to slash tariffs on Indian imports after deal on Russian oil

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Monday he would immediately slash tariffs on imports, which could mean lower costs for consumers on goods from the U.S. ally...
IL lawmakers push discount drug legislation to prevent restricted access

IL lawmakers push discount drug legislation to prevent restricted access

By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square Illinois lawmakers are pushing an amendment to ban restrictions or interference with a federal discount drug program. Speaking at a rally in Chicago on Sunday,...
Trump says worldwide tariffs aren't taxes on U.S. consumers

Trump says worldwide tariffs aren’t taxes on U.S. consumers

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump continues to defend his use of tariffs worldwide as businesses await a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the president’s tariff authority. Trump...
Chicago downtown office space vacancy rate ends year at record high levels

Chicago downtown office space vacancy rate ends year at record high levels

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Wirepoints Executive Editor Mark Glennon warns Chicago’s dwindling business community could be riding into high-gear after...
Ex-Illinois candidate sides with Vance after Duckworth–Rubio clash

Ex-Illinois candidate sides with Vance after Duckworth–Rubio clash

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, is facing fresh criticism after Vice President J.D. Vance likened her...
Illinois Quick Hits: Judge rules Cook County misspent $243M

Illinois Quick Hits: Judge rules Cook County misspent $243M

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A circuit court judge has ruled that Cook County spent $243 million in violation of the Illinois...
U.S. power grid holds up in cold; warning issued

U.S. power grid holds up in cold; warning issued

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square The electric grid powering much of the U.S. through a harsh stretch of winter has largely held up, but there is an increasing risk of...
Everyday Economics: The economy expands, but massive transformation masks weakness

Everyday Economics: The economy expands, but massive transformation masks weakness

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square The Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow model is tracking 4.2% real GDP growth in Q4 2025 – a number that screams “strong economy,” powered in part by...
Nationwide redistricting efforts could impact control of Congress

Nationwide redistricting efforts could impact control of Congress

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square As the 2026 midterm elections approach, state legislatures have grappled with fierce mid-decade redistricting efforts in an attempt to give an advantage to their political...
Marijuana, abortion, noncitizen voting on ballots in 2026

Marijuana, abortion, noncitizen voting on ballots in 2026

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Alongside a battle for control of Congress, voters in states across the country will take up ballot initiatives to decide key issues. Citizenship requirements for...
Casey Westfield School Board.1

Casey-Westfield Board Accepts Clean Audit, Notes Dip in Financial Profile Score due to Bonds

Casey-Westfield Board of Education Meeting | Jan. 26, 2026 Article Summary: The Casey-Westfield School Board reviewed the fiscal year 2024 annual financial report, which showed a clean audit with no...