Illinois quick hits: Chicago businesses at 10-year low; school admin survey closes soon

Illinois quick hits: Chicago businesses at 10-year low; school admin survey closes soon

August 26, 2025/
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

Judge: Biden-era decree deal requires release of 600+ from ICE detention

Judge: Biden-era decree deal requires release of 600+ from ICE detention

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Chicago federal judge appointed by former President Joe Biden has ruled potentially hundreds of illegal immigrants must be released from federal...
Poll: Majority believe free speech in U.S. headed in wrong direction

Poll: Majority believe free speech in U.S. headed in wrong direction

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square An overwhelming majority of Americans believe freedom of speech is headed in the wrong direction, according to a new poll. The Foundation for Individual Rights...
Illinois quick hits: Chicago treasurer to boycott U.S. securities to protest against Trump; Governor marks opening of new union training center; Illinois farms expected to lose $67.2 million a year

Illinois quick hits: Chicago treasurer to boycott U.S. securities to protest against Trump; Governor marks opening of new union training center; Illinois farms expected to lose $67.2 million a year

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Treasurer to boycott U.S. Treasury securities to protest against Trump Chicago’s finances may take another hit after City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin...
Trump signs executive order to improve foster care

Trump signs executive order to improve foster care

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square In line with First Lady Melania Trump’s efforts to improve the foster care system, the president signed an executive order Thursday to better support foster...
Hegseth announces Operation Southern Spear, targeting narco-terrorists

Hegseth announces Operation Southern Spear, targeting narco-terrorists

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Operation Southern Spear, the new title for the Trump administration’s targeting of narco-terrorists in and around Latin America, was announced Thursday by Secretary of War...
Justice Department accuses California of racial gerrymandering in redistricting plan

Justice Department accuses California of racial gerrymandering in redistricting plan

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Justice sued California officials Thursday over the state's redistricting plan, which could help Democrats pick up additional seats in Congress. The...
Illinois quick hits: WARN Act reporting shows 1,600 job losses in October

Illinois quick hits: WARN Act reporting shows 1,600 job losses in October

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square WARN Act reporting shows 1,600 job losses in October The Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act for October reports...
Pritzker, alders oppose Chicago tax plans, property tax hike could be next

Pritzker, alders oppose Chicago tax plans, property tax hike could be next

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the Chicago City Council considers 2026 budget measures, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed tax hikes continue to...
State Department designates European Antifa groups foreign terror organizations

State Department designates European Antifa groups foreign terror organizations

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The U.S. State Department officially designated four foreign Antifa groups as foreign terrorist organizations, nearly two months after President Donald Trump designated Antifa a domestic...
NetChoice scores legal win in social media warning lawsuit

NetChoice scores legal win in social media warning lawsuit

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A U.S. District Court recently granted a preliminary injunction against a new Colorado law that would require social media platforms to regularly send pop-up notifications...
Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger draws more support as critics push back

Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger draws more support as critics push back

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square Support is growing for the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern as federal regulators continue reviewing what would become the first transcontinental freight...
TSA agents who worked throughout shutdown to receive $10,000 bonus

TSA agents who worked throughout shutdown to receive $10,000 bonus

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The Department of Homeland Security will issue $10,000 bonus checks to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents who demonstrated “exemplary” behavior and work attendance during the...
Boeing to pay $36M to family of Indian woman killed in Ethiopia Air crash

Boeing to pay $36M to family of Indian woman killed in Ethiopia Air crash

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The family of a woman from India who died in a 2019 airliner crash could receive nearly $35 million from Boeing, under...
Pro-life org invests $80M into 2026 midterms, will reach 10.5M voters

Pro-life org invests $80M into 2026 midterms, will reach 10.5M voters

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America says it will reach 10.5 million voters by its newly announced investment of $80 million into the 2026 midterm election,...
Refilling Strategic Petroleum Reserve begins

Refilling Strategic Petroleum Reserve begins

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square About 1 million barrels of crude oil that will go toward replenishing the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve have been purchased, the U.S. Department of Energy...