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

Chicago tax proposals draw concern over legality, 'economic death spiral'

Chicago tax proposals draw concern over legality, ‘economic death spiral’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s allies have launched a seven-figure campaign to support his 2026 budget proposal, but...
Illinois quick hits: Former governor proposes millionaire's surcharge; digital state ID launched

Illinois quick hits: Former governor proposes millionaire’s surcharge; digital state ID launched

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Former governor proposes millionaire's surcharge Former Gov. Pat Quinn is pushing for a state constitutional amendment requiring Illinois millionaires to pay...
U.S. Senate passes bill to release Epstein files, heads to Trump's desk

U.S. Senate passes bill to release Epstein files, heads to Trump’s desk

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Senate on Tuesday agreed to pass a bill by unanimous consent requiring the U.S. attorney general to release all documents related to convicted...
Louisiana Rep. Clay Higgins defends Epstein 'no' vote

Louisiana Rep. Clay Higgins defends Epstein ‘no’ vote

By Natalie ChandlerThe Center Square Republican Rep. Clay Higgins of Lafayette, the only House lawmaker who voted against releasing documents associated with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Tuesday, said...
Abbott designates Muslim Brotherhood, CAIR as foreign terrorist organizations

Abbott designates Muslim Brotherhood, CAIR as foreign terrorist organizations

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Gov. Greg Abbott is the first governor in the United States to designate two Muslim groups as Foreign Terrorist and Transnational Criminal Organizations. On Tuesday,...
Judge blocks feds from freezing California education funding

Judge blocks feds from freezing California education funding

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from freezing University of California's federal funding over alleged violation of anti-discrimination laws. U.S. District Judge Rita Lin...
Texas appealing El Paso court ruling against new congressional maps

Texas appealing El Paso court ruling against new congressional maps

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas is appealing a federal district court ruling in a lawsuit filed over its new redistricting law. On Tuesday, a panel of three judges on...
Elections board drops campaign finance fines against IL Senate President

Elections board drops campaign finance fines against IL Senate President

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The campaign finance violation against Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, is over after the Illinois...
Senate gears up for Epstein vote

Senate gears up for Epstein vote

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Senate is preparing to vote as soon as late Tuesday on a bill forcing the Department of Justice to release documents associated with...
Illinois corrections officials say they are on schedule for prison mail scan rule

Illinois corrections officials say they are on schedule for prison mail scan rule

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Department of Corrections officials are promising to have a permanent rule on electronic mail scanning drafted...
Asset managers retreat from ESG push, report finds

Asset managers retreat from ESG push, report finds

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square Many of the largest asset managers in the United States have sharply reduced their support for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing during the most...
U.S. House passes bill to release Epstein files, moves to Senate

U.S. House passes bill to release Epstein files, moves to Senate

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill for the release of documents associated with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. “This is about the...
Policy expert: How will GOP pay for its plan to send tax dollars to flex spending plans?

Policy expert: How will GOP pay for its plan to send tax dollars to flex spending plans?

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Congressional Republicans are proposing sending government subsidies to flexible spending plans, with an expert suggesting that tax dollars saved by reducing Medicare fraud could be...
Trade expert calls on Trump to eliminate all tariffs

Trade expert calls on Trump to eliminate all tariffs

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A trade expert is calling on President Donald Trump to eliminate all tariffs after the president exempted more than 200 food products to reduce consumer...
Colorado reports largest fentanyl pill seizure in state history

Colorado reports largest fentanyl pill seizure in state history

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado law enforcement seized its largest stash of illegal fentanyl pills in state history. It was also the sixth-largest one-time fentanyl pill seizure in U.S....