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

August 26, 2025/

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.

Latest News Stories

Manhattan Board Changes Meeting Time, Limits Public Comment

Village moves to 5:30 p.m. start time and reduces speaking period from five to three minutes The Village of Manhattan Board of Trustees approved two ordinance changes Tuesday that will...

Manhattan Challenges Neighboring Villages to Pop Tab Competition

Community fundraising effort for Ronald McDonald House expands to include multiple villages The Village of Manhattan has officially challenged neighboring communities to a summer-long pop tab collection competition benefiting the...

Manhatttan Village Board Meeting Briefs

MUNICIPAL UPDATES Memorial Day Services Planned: The I Honor Banner Ceremony will take place Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Manhattan Township Building, 230 S. Wabash Street. The ceremony dedicates...

Frankfort Township Approves Employee Raises, Details Major Infrastructure and Service Projects

Frankfort Township employees will receive a 2.5% cost-of-living pay increase after the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the adjustment at its Monday, May 19 meeting. The move came as Supervisor...

Fire Station Construction Bids Due June 3, Storm Generates 40 Emergency Calls

The Manhattan Fire Protection District has received strong interest from contractors for its new fire station project, with construction bids due back June 3 and groundbreaking still targeted for July....

New High-End Bar ‘Ace & Vine’ Gets Green Light from Township Board

A new bar focused on high-end liquor and an extensive wine collection is one step closer to opening in Frankfort Township after the Board of Trustees voted to recommend a...

Fire District Maintains Strong Call Volume, Equipment Readiness

The Manhattan Fire Protection District is maintaining steady emergency response capabilities while addressing routine equipment maintenance needs across its two-station operation. Deputy Chief Dave Piper's April operational report showed continued...

Golf Carts Not Permitted on Township Roads, Supervisor Clarifies

Residents hoping to drive golf carts on roads in unincorporated Frankfort Township are out of luck, as the practice is illegal under state law, Supervisor Nick George clarified at the...

Meeting Briefs: Frankfort Township Board for May 19, 2025

The Frankfort Township Board approved a 2.5% cost-of-living raise for its employees and discussed several major projects at its meeting on Monday, May 19. Supervisor Nick George announced that the...

Fire District May 19 Board Meeting Briefs

Board Actions Delayed: The swearing-in of new Trustee Mike Shivers was postponed until the next board meeting. The board voted to retain current leadership positions rather than reorganizing roles. Records...

Will County Board Rejects Two Solar Farm Projects After Heated Public Opposition

New Lenox area residents cite safety concerns, property values in opposing commercial solar facilities The Will County Board voted decisively against two proposed commercial solar energy facilities during its May...

County Approves $15 Million Water System Takeover for Southeast Joliet Area

700 homes to receive upgraded service as Joliet takes control of failing sanitary district The Will County Board voted 20-1 to support dissolving the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District and transferring...

Board Postpones County Purchasing Code Overhaul Amid Union Contractor Debate

Members seek clarification on requirements that could favor unionized businesses The Will County Board postponed action on proposed changes to county purchasing ordinances after members raised concerns about language that...

New Frankfort Square Park Board Takes Helm Amid Strong Financials, Maksymiak and Moore Elected Leaders

The Frankfort Square Park District Board of Commissioners seated four new members and re-elected its leadership during a productive annual organizational meeting on May 15, all while celebrating a robust...

Animal Permit Hearing Reveals Neighborhood Disputes Over Horses, Roosters in Crete Township

Board postpones decision on Torres family request pending barn variance appeal A contentious hearing over Fernando Torres' request to keep horses on his Crete Township property exposed deep neighborhood divisions...

« Previous
1
…
30
31
32
33
34
…
37
Next »

MANHATTAN LOCAL