Illinois quick hits: Report shows rate of businesses leaving state
August 12, 2025/
Report shows rate of businesses leaving state
Illinois businesses are moving to other states at triple the rate they did before the pandemic, according to new research from the Illinois Policy Institute.
In 2023, 218 businesses left Illinois, more than any state in the country after New York and California.
Despite having the most business applications filed in the Midwest, only 5.6% of applicants in Illinois actually opened a business and became operational within 12 months.
Former mayor sentenced for corruption
A federal judge has sentenced former McCook Mayor and Cook County Commissioner Jeff Tobolski to four years in prison for public corruption.
Tobolski pleaded guilty to extortion conspiracy and tax charges in 2020. Tobolski admitted that he abused his elected positions to benefit individuals who paid him more than $250,000 in bribes.
Towns make crowd-free boating list
Three Illinois towns made the list of Best Small Towns for Crowd-Free Boating.
BoatBooker’s 2025 study reviewed online reviews of small boating towns nationwide and found Port Barrington, Illinois came in at No. 6, Morris at No. 10 and Warrenville at No. 18.
Latest News Stories
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Finance Committee for August 5, 2025
The Will County Board’s Finance Committee confronted major budget challenges during its Tuesday meeting, led by a stark presentation from the Will County Health Department. Health officials are requesting an...
Will County PZC Approves Rezoning for Truck Repair Facility on Manhattan Road Amid Resident Concerns
Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-2 to rezone nearly 14 acres in Joliet Township for a truck repair facility. The approval came after a neighboring...
Key Stretch of Bell Road on Track for Thanksgiving Reopening, Committee Approves Additional Funds
ARTICLE SUMMARY Construction on Bell Road between 159th and 151st Streets is scheduled to have all lanes open by Thanksgiving, officials announced as the Public Works & Transportation Committee approved a...
Will County Leglislative Committee Opposes Federal Push for Heavier, Longer Trucks
ARTICLE SUMMARY: The Will County Board's Legislative Committee unanimously passed a resolution opposing any federal legislation that would increase the size and weight limits for commercial trucks on national roadways. Will...
Will County Reports Progress in Opioid Fight, Highlights New FDA Labeling Rules
Article Summary: Will County is seeing a reduction in opioid overdose deaths and is expanding access to the reversal drug Narcan, health officials reported. The department also drew attention to...
In-House Staff Completes Major Renovations at Will County Adult Detention Facility
ARTICLE SUMMARY: Maintenance staff at the Will County Adult Detention Facility recently completed extensive renovations in-house, including a new control center and the full restoration of a 48-cell housing unit, saving...
Will County Advances Truck Repair Facility Plan on Manhattan Road Despite Resident Objections
Article Summary: A proposal to rezone nearly 14 acres on Manhattan Road for a truck repair facility advanced after receiving a recommendation for approval from the Will County Land Use...
PZC Grants Variance for Oversized Garage in Joliet Township, Reversing Staff Recommendation
Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a variance for a Joliet Township homeowner to build a garage addition that exceeds the county's size limits. The...
Will County Public Works Committee Approves Over $1.1 Million in New Agreements for 80th Avenue Project
ARTICLE SUMMARY: The Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee authorized two agreements totaling over $1.1 million for the ongoing reconstruction and widening of 80th Avenue between 191st and 183rd Streets....
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Legislative Committee for August 5, 2025
The Will County Board’s Legislative Committee focused on shaping its advocacy efforts at both the state and federal levels during its August 5 meeting. The primary discussion centered on crafting...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee for August 5, 2025
The future of several key county facilities dominated the Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee meeting on Tuesday. A major topic of discussion was the ongoing buildout of the...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee for August 7, 2025
The Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee on Thursday heard urgent requests for facility and funding support from two of the county’s key public-facing departments. The committee took...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee for August 7, 2025
The Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee on Thursday heard urgent requests for facility and funding support from two of the county’s key public-facing departments. The committee took...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Land Use & Development Committee for August 7, 2025
The Will County Land Use & Development Committee tackled two contentious zoning cases during its August 7 meeting, denying a special use permit for a landscaping business in a residential...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Planning and Zoning Commission for August 5, 2025
The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission backed two controversial projects at its August 5 meeting, unanimously approving a large-scale landscaping business on a residential lot in DuPage Township despite...