Illinois Quick Hits: Downtown Chicago office vacancies hit another record high

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – Downtown Chicago’s office vacancy rate has risen to a record high for the 15th consecutive quarter.

Crain’s Chicago Business reports that vacancies climbed to 28.6% in the first quarter of 2026, up from 28.2% at the end of 2025.

TEACHERS UNION OBTAINS RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST CHICAGO FLIPS RED

A court hearing is scheduled for April 22 after the Chicago Teachers Union obtained a workplace protection restraining order against Chicago Flips Red founder Zoe Leigh.

The order alleges that Leigh made repeated threats of violence while protesting outside CTU headquarters “almost every week” from January 5 through March 23.

Chicago Flips Red Vice President Danielle Carter-Walters said in a social media post that CTU doesn’t want CFR talking about child sexual misconduct cases in Chicago Public Schools that taxpayers are paying for.

STUDY: IL ALCOHOL USE DROPS

A new report says 54.5% of Illinois adults drink alcohol, down from 60.7% in 2018.

Using data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Trace One cited shifting cultural norms and the expanding market for alcohol alternatives.

Nationally, 51.1% of adults reported alcohol use.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Critics slam Mamdani's policies, push for free markets

Critics slam Mamdani’s policies, push for free markets

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square In the wake of Zohran Mamdani’s rise to become the mayor of New York City, researchers and policy analysts are slamming his policies and calling...
Estimated power demand will outstrip supply by 2032

Estimated power demand will outstrip supply by 2032

By Lauren Jessop | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The impact on electricity demand from a growing number of data centers is a recurring point...
WATCH: Justice Kennedy talks about 'Life, Law & Liberty'

WATCH: Justice Kennedy talks about ‘Life, Law & Liberty’

By Dave MasonThe Center Square It’s important to understand what the framers of the U.S. Constitution wrote and intended, but the U.S. Supreme Court’s work goes beyond that, according to...
WA congressman urges Senate to confirm Trump DOJ nominee ahead of Dec. 4 deadline

WA congressman urges Senate to confirm Trump DOJ nominee ahead of Dec. 4 deadline

By Tim ClouserThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Michael Baumgartner, R-Wash., sent a letter on Wednesday urging the Senate to confirm Pete Serrano as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of...
Judge who blocked Trump was major Democrat player as trial lawyer

Judge who blocked Trump was major Democrat player as trial lawyer

By Daniel Fisher | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The federal judge who ordered President Trump to continue paying food-stamp benefits owes his fortune to cigarettes and Democratic political ties forged...
Arizona recommends measles vaccine during outbreak

Arizona recommends measles vaccine during outbreak

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Arizona is recommending vaccinations to combat the state's worst measles outbreak since the 1990s. The latest update this week showed the state has 111 cases...
Govt. shutdown leads to over 800 flights cancelled, number growing

Govt. shutdown leads to over 800 flights cancelled, number growing

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As the government shutdown drags into its 38th day and forced flight reductions begin taking effect, the number of daily flight cancellations Americans are experiencing...
Illinois approves $1.5B transit package, funding for long-delayed projects

Illinois approves $1.5B transit package, funding for long-delayed projects

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers approved a $1.5 billion transit package, including long-delayed Moline-to-Chicago rail, hailed by Democrats as...
Supreme Court allows Trump to withhold partial SNAP payment

Supreme Court allows Trump to withhold partial SNAP payment

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Supreme Court said Friday that the Trump administration could withhold a partial payment for the federal food benefits program amid the longest-ever government shutdown....
Illinois quick hits: State EPA looks to fund EV charging stations; Tax Foundation says mayor's proposal would hinder employment;

Illinois quick hits: State EPA looks to fund EV charging stations; Tax Foundation says mayor’s proposal would hinder employment;

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square State EPA looks to fund EV charging stations The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced an Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging...
Screenshot 2025-11-06 at 7.52.57 AM

Casey Council Approves Over $2.45 Million in Bills, Renews $1.6 Million in CDs

Casey City Council Meeting | November 03, 2025 Article SummaryThe Casey City Council approved the payment of over $2.45 million in bills for October, a figure that includes a significant...
Congressional Perks: Committees, caucuses cost $50 million since 2019

Congressional Perks: Committees, caucuses cost $50 million since 2019

By Arthur KaneThe Center Square Since 2019, partisan and special interest caucuses and coalitions in the U.S. House spent at least $50 million for staff, food, travel and other expenses,...
FAA funding problems hit airports in California, elsewhere

FAA funding problems hit airports in California, elsewhere

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square As Christine Finch helped her father, Graham Finch, gather his luggage at the San Francisco International Airport, she was worried about how flight delays caused...
Judge bars ICE from acting against ‘protestors,’ ‘rapid response’ activists

Judge bars ICE from acting against ‘protestors,’ ‘rapid response’ activists

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Chicago federal judge has barred federal agents from U.S. Border Patrol and ICE from conducting crowd control actions anywhere in northern...
Report: IL public schools show low academic proficiency, higher taxpayer funding

Report: IL public schools show low academic proficiency, higher taxpayer funding

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The CEnter Square) – The latest education statistics indicate stagnant proficiency for public school students in Illinois, despite dramatic increases in...