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

Chicago business activity down, unemployment rate up

Chicago business activity down, unemployment rate up

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Wirepoints executive editor Mark Glennon isn’t holding back on what to make of Chicago’s stumbling economy,...
WATCH: Pritzker encourages protests; Vaccine law signed; Chicago priorities criticized

WATCH: Pritzker encourages protests; Vaccine law signed; Chicago priorities criticized

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares the continued...
Illinois quick hits: Trump signs Duckworth's BABES Act; REAL ID portals promoted

Illinois quick hits: Trump signs Duckworth’s BABES Act; REAL ID portals promoted

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Trump signs Duckworth's BABES Act President Donald Trump has signed bipartisan legislation to help parents travel by air with breast milk...
With holiday season underway, temporary workers notified they don’t have to join a union

With holiday season underway, temporary workers notified they don’t have to join a union

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square With a busy holiday season underway, the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation is notifying temporary workers that they don’t have to join a...
Screenshot 2025-11-21 at 10.20.09 AM

Lincoln-Way Board Approves Tutoring Service for Hospitalized Students

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | November 20, 2025 Article Summary: Lincoln-Way District 210 has entered into an agreement with LearnWell to provide tutoring services for students who are...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan Fire Protection District for October 2025

Manhattan Fire Protection District Meeting | October 2025 The Manhattan Fire Protection District Board of Trustees on Monday, October 20, 2025, approved the final major contract for its new fire...
Facing appeals loss, activists withdraw suit that had frozen ICE

Facing appeals loss, activists withdraw suit that had frozen ICE

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square After winning a court order essentially forbidding federal immigration agents from responding with force against so-called “protestors” interfering with ICE operations and...
Abbott asks Treasury Department to suspend Islam group’s tax-exempt status

Abbott asks Treasury Department to suspend Islam group’s tax-exempt status

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas Gov. Greg Abbott took more action Tuesday against the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). Abbott on Tuesday requested the Treasury Department investigate CAIR for...
Controversial Vietnamese film being considered for Oscars

Controversial Vietnamese film being considered for Oscars

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square A controversial Vietnamese film that depicts a long Vietnam War battle is under consideration for an Oscar nomination, according to California Assemblymember Tri Ta, R-Westminster....
IL, Chicago, suburbs to get up to $280M in Monsanto PCB deal

IL, Chicago, suburbs to get up to $280M in Monsanto PCB deal

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Illinois' state government, as well as Chicago and nine North Shore suburbs, could be in line for as much as $280 million...
Survey: Teachers concerned about AI's impact on students

Survey: Teachers concerned about AI’s impact on students

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square K-12 educators say students are turning to artificial intelligence for emotional support, and many are concerned that current safeguards are insufficient, according to a new...
Los Angeles County board votes to ban masks for ICE officers

Los Angeles County board votes to ban masks for ICE officers

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Los Angeles County moved closer Tuesday to join the state of California in banning masks for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. But even as...
Illinois quick hits: Son of 'El Chapo' guilty; still above $3 a gallon

Illinois quick hits: Son of ‘El Chapo’ guilty; still above $3 a gallon

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Son of 'El Chapo' guilty A notorious gang leader’s son has been convicted on federal drug charges. Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman’s...

WATCH: Chicago mayor, ‘responsible stewards’ defend taxes, opponents say they’ve failed

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Mayor Brandon Johnson says he wants to make Chicago the safest and most affordable big city in...

WATCH: Pritzker encourages protests as feds challenge use of force lawsuit

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the use of force challenge against the Trump administration’s enforcement of immigration law continues, Gov. J.B....