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.

Community Events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Meeting Briefs

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....
Screenshot 2025-10-25 at 12.43.06 PM

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...
Screenshot 2025-10-25 at 10.22.48 AM

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...
manhattan fire district graphic logo.3

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...
Screenshot 2025-10-25 at 10.22.40 AM

Manhattan Bans Retail Sale of Kratom, Citing Public Health and Addiction Risks

Manhattan Village Board Meeting | October 21, 2025 Article Summary: The Manhattan Village Board unanimously passed an ordinance prohibiting the sale, manufacture, and distribution of kratom, an herbal substance that...
manhattan fire district graphic logo.1

Manhattan Fire District Approves $8.75 Million Bond Sale for New Fire Station

Manhattan Fire Protection District Meeting | September 15, 2025 Article Summary: The Manhattan Fire Protection District Board of Trustees has formally approved the sale of approximately $8.75 million in General Obligation...
Screenshot 2025-10-25 at 10.22.19 AM

Manhattan Approves Annexation for 41-Home Butternut Ridge South Subdivision

Manhattan Village Board Meeting | October 21, 2025 Article Summary: The Manhattan Village Board has approved the annexation, rezoning, and preliminary plat for a 41-home subdivision on a 20-acre parcel...
Screenshot 2025-10-25 at 10.22.33 AM

Manhattan Residents Voice Fears Over Traffic Safety, Water Use Amid Regional Growth

Manhattan Village Board Meeting | October 21, 2025 Article Summary: Following recent tragedies, residents delivered emotional pleas to the Manhattan Village Board, demanding action on truck traffic and speeding on...

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 for October 16, 2025

Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 for October 16, 2025

LW210 Board of Education Meeting | October 16, 2025 The Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education meeting on Thursday, October 16, 2025, was dominated by news that the district's support...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan School District 114 for October 8, 2025

Manhattan School District 114 Board Meeting | October 8, 2025 The Manhattan School District 114 board meeting on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, featured extensive public testimony from parents detailing significant...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Village of Manhattan for October 7, 2025

The Manhattan Village Board advanced over $1.38 million in water infrastructure projects at its meeting on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, awarding contracts for three major water main upgrades that will...
Screenshot 2025-10-17 at 11.24.23 AM

Lincoln-Way to Purchase New Buses, Add Smaller Vehicles to Address Driver Shortage

LW210 Board of Education Meeting | October 16, 2025 Article Summary: Lincoln-Way District 210 plans to update its transportation fleet by purchasing 28 new gasoline-powered school buses, three activity buses,...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Jackson Township Board September 2025

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Jackson Township Board Meeting | September 10, 2025 The Jackson Township Board met on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, to handle standard monthly business, including the approval...
Screenshot 2025-10-17 at 11.46.09 AM

Manhattan Seeks $250,000 State Grant for Safe Routes to School Program

Village of Manhattan Board Meeting - October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Village of Manhattan is applying for a grant of up to $250,000 from the Illinois Department of Transportation's...