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

MFPD-Logo-Fire District

Manhattan Fire Trustees Extend Chief Contracts Through 2029

Chief Steve Malone Manhattan Fire Protection District Meeting | Dec. 15, 2025 Article Summary: The Manhattan Fire Protection District Board of Trustees voted to extend the contracts...
Illinois House returns to session with plans for SAFE-T Act, Israel, taxes

Illinois House returns to session with plans for SAFE-T Act, Israel, taxes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Higher taxes, the SAFE-T Act and state policy regarding Israel may all be on the table as...
Illinois quick hits: Bovino bounty trial to begin; Judge sentences Kentucky man to 15 years in drugs case; Pritzker criticizes Trump's first year as Trump marks accomplishments

Illinois quick hits: Bovino bounty trial to begin; Judge sentences Kentucky man to 15 years in drugs case; Pritzker criticizes Trump’s first year as Trump marks accomplishments

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Bovino bounty trial to begin Jury selection is complete for the trial of a man accused of putting a bounty on...
IL AG reviews battles vs. Trump administration: '365 days of chaos'

IL AG reviews battles vs. Trump administration: ‘365 days of chaos’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says his office has endured 365 days of chaos with President Donald...
Largest U.S. band manufacturer plans to leave Ohio, send some production overseas

Largest U.S. band manufacturer plans to leave Ohio, send some production overseas

By David BeasleyThe Center Square While President Donald Trump continues to use tariffs to push for manufacturing to return to the United States, the largest manufacturer of band instruments in...
WATCH: Trump says he plans to send out $2,000 tariff checks without Congress

WATCH: Trump says he plans to send out $2,000 tariff checks without Congress

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he could bypass Congress to send $2,000 tariff rebate checks to some Americans. This directly contradicts his top economic...
House to vote on last four govt. funding bills costing $1.2 trillion

House to vote on last four govt. funding bills costing $1.2 trillion

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Ten days before the government funding deadline, congressional appropriators released the last four fiscal year 2026 spending bills for the U.S. House to vote on....
Illinois House speaker, unions push millionaire’s tax as lawmakers return

Illinois House speaker, unions push millionaire’s tax as lawmakers return

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois state representatives are scheduled to be back in Springfield this week, and there is bipartisan concern...
Reports: Walz, Frey, Ellison among those issued subpoenas by U.S. Justice

Reports: Walz, Frey, Ellison among those issued subpoenas by U.S. Justice

By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square High-ranking Minnesota elected officials on Tuesday were served subpoenas by the U.S. Department of Justice, according to multiple reports. Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith...
Supreme Court hears arguments in 'vampire rule' gun case

Supreme Court hears arguments in ‘vampire rule’ gun case

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday in a case over a Hawaii law that prohibits concealed carry permit holders from bringing guns on...
Trump slams 'stupid' UK decision to give back key military base

Trump slams ‘stupid’ UK decision to give back key military base

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump sharply criticized the United Kingdom's decision to hand over the Chagos Islands, the location of a strategic U.S. military base, to Mauritius....
Bill would block Arizona Guard from unauthorized U.S. wars

Bill would block Arizona Guard from unauthorized U.S. wars

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square A new bill seeks to make Arizona the first state in the country to prevent its National Guard from fighting in wars not authorized by...
Audit: Illinois State professors skipped required outside work disclosures

Audit: Illinois State professors skipped required outside work disclosures

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker is raising serious concerns about cybersecurity and legal compliance at Illinois State University...
Trump urges arrests after church protest in St. Paul

Trump urges arrests after church protest in St. Paul

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square President Donald Trump called for protestors to be “thrown in jail” following a protest which disrupted a Sunday morning service in St. Paul. Trump’s words...
Trump says 'no going back' on plans to annex Greenland

Trump says ‘no going back’ on plans to annex Greenland

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump positioned the annexation of Greenland as essential for U.S. and global security, even as European leaders voiced strong resistance during the World...