Illinois quick hits: Report shows rate of businesses leaving state
August 12, 2025/
Report shows rate of businesses leaving state
Illinois businesses are moving to other states at triple the rate they did before the pandemic, according to new research from the Illinois Policy Institute.
In 2023, 218 businesses left Illinois, more than any state in the country after New York and California.
Despite having the most business applications filed in the Midwest, only 5.6% of applicants in Illinois actually opened a business and became operational within 12 months.
Former mayor sentenced for corruption
A federal judge has sentenced former McCook Mayor and Cook County Commissioner Jeff Tobolski to four years in prison for public corruption.
Tobolski pleaded guilty to extortion conspiracy and tax charges in 2020. Tobolski admitted that he abused his elected positions to benefit individuals who paid him more than $250,000 in bribes.
Towns make crowd-free boating list
Three Illinois towns made the list of Best Small Towns for Crowd-Free Boating.
BoatBooker’s 2025 study reviewed online reviews of small boating towns nationwide and found Port Barrington, Illinois came in at No. 6, Morris at No. 10 and Warrenville at No. 18.
Community Events
ThursdayDecember 11, 2025
FridayDecember 12, 2025
SaturdayDecember 13, 2025
MondayDecember 15, 2025
TuesdayDecember 16, 2025
WednesdayDecember 17, 2025
ThursdayDecember 18, 2025
FridayDecember 19, 2025
SaturdayDecember 20, 2025
Latest News Stories
Commission Grants Green Garden Solar Farm Project Variance Extension
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | November 4, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission granted a 180-day extension for two variances related to a commercial...
Manhattan-Elwood Library Board Approves Annual Tax Levy
Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District Board Meeting | September 2025 Article SummaryThe Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District Board of Trustees unanimously approved its 2025 tax levy following a public hearing on September...
Manhattan Adopts Downtown Design Guidelines to Unify and Revitalize Village Center
Manhattan Village Board Meeting | November 4, 2025 Article Summary: The Manhattan Village Board on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, unanimously approved a new set of Downtown Design Guidelines aimed at...
Will County Committee Advances Phased Takeover of Central Will Dial-A-Ride Service
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board approved a five-year plan to consolidate the Central Will Dial-A-Ride service into its...
Manhattan Grapples with Route 52 Safety After Tragedy, Demands Action from IDOT
Manhattan Village Board Meeting | November 4, 2025 Article Summary: Following a recent tragedy, the Manhattan Village Board on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, held an extensive public discussion on the...
Manhattan Park District Ratifies Emergency Purchase of Bucket Truck for $36,500
Manhattan Park Board Meeting | September 2025 Article Summary: The Manhattan Park Board has unanimously ratified the emergency purchase of a used 2012 Ram 5500 bucket truck for $36,500. The board...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Planning and Zoning Commission for October 21, 2025
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | October 21, 2025 The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, tackled several high-profile land use issues, recommending...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Finance Committee for October 21, 2025
Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | October 21, 2025 A contentious debate over a looming $8.9 million budget shortfall dominated the Will County Board Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday....
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan Fire Protection District for September 15, 2025
Manhattan Fire Protection District Meeting | September 15, 2025 The Manhattan Fire Protection District Board of Trustees took a major step toward building a new fire station at its meeting...
Future of Will County’s Cannabis Fund Debated Amid Budget Shortfall
Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | October 21, 2025 Article Summary: As Will County officials look for ways to close an $8.9 million budget gap, a debate has emerged over...
Manhattan Fire District Earns Clean Audit, Hires Investment Manager
Manhattan Fire Protection District Meeting | September 15, 2025 Article Summary: The Manhattan Fire Protection District received a clean bill of financial health with an "unmodified opinion" on its latest audit....
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan Village Board for October 21, 2025
Manhattan Village Board Meeting | October 21, 2025 The Manhattan Village Board on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, approved the annexation and preliminary plans for the 41-home Butternut Ridge South subdivision....
Will County Health Department Pleads for $1 Million to Avert ‘Weakened Public Health System’
Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | October 21, 2025 Article Summary: Leaders and board members from the Will County Health Department made an impassioned plea for $1 million in county...
Manhattan Village Board Approves Water and Sewer Rate Hikes to Fund Future Infrastructure
Manhattan Village Board Meeting | October 21, 2025 Article Summary: Manhattan residents will see their water and sewer rates increase over the next several years after the Village Board approved...
Safety Upgrades Coming to Dangerous Route 50 and County Line Road Intersection
Manhattan Fire Protection District Meeting | September 15, 2025 Article Summary: Following a meeting between fire officials and state and county transportation leaders, safety improvements, including a four-way stop by the...