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.

Events

No events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

ELECTION DAY 2025: Virginia, NJ governor, NYC mayor, more at stake

ELECTION DAY 2025: Virginia, NJ governor, NYC mayor, more at stake

By Dan McCaleb and Andrew RiceThe Center Square Voters in several states and cities across the U.S. will decide key races for governor, mayor and other positions Tuesday as voting...

WATCH: Illinois House rejects home insurance bill GOP says would raise rates

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Republicans say a state Senate proposal to regulate homeowners insurance rates failed to address the reasons...
Government shutdown to surpass 35 days, breaking all records

Government shutdown to surpass 35 days, breaking all records

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square For the 14th time, U.S. Senate Democrats on Tuesday filibustered Republicans’ funding bill to reopen the government, guaranteeing that the ongoing shutdown, now on its...
Kansas advocates look to past legal immigration pathways

Kansas advocates look to past legal immigration pathways

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration’s deportation agenda has caused a wide variety of responses across the country. Protests in Portland, Los Angeles and Chicago have prompted calls...
Reported bomb threat halts flights at Washington Reagan National Airport

Reported bomb threat halts flights at Washington Reagan National Airport

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Flights in and out of Washington Reagan National Airport were momentarily halted due to a reported bomb threat on an incoming flight. The app Flight...
22 candidates vying for Illinois’ Democrat, Republican U.S. Senate primaries

22 candidates vying for Illinois’ Democrat, Republican U.S. Senate primaries

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Some of the 22 candidates vying for their party’s nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated...
Trump says SNAP benefits on hold until government reopens

Trump says SNAP benefits on hold until government reopens

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Tuesday that federal food benefits won't go out until the government reopens, a statement at odds with what his administration has...
Number of measles cases grows along Arizona-Utah border

Number of measles cases grows along Arizona-Utah border

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Measles cases have increased on the Arizona-Utah border. An online dashboard operated by the Arizona Department of Health Services shows 111 total cases. Three people...

WATCH: Illinois tax amnesty program closes Nov. 17, brings in $82.5 million

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Revenue is confident it will meet, if not exceed, its goal of bringing...
Median age for a first-time home buyer hits 40, a record high

Median age for a first-time home buyer hits 40, a record high

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The median age for a first-time home buyer just hit 40, a record high, according to a new report from the National Association of Realtors....
Illinois biz leader: Diversity computer snafu so bad it 'has to be intentional'

Illinois biz leader: Diversity computer snafu so bad it ‘has to be intentional’

By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois computer problem that has led to the diversity decertifications of numerous businesses owned by minorities...
WATCH: GOP U.S. Sen. candidate Tracy on shutdown, tariffs; state expands sanctuary

WATCH: GOP U.S. Sen. candidate Tracy on shutdown, tariffs; state expands sanctuary

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 talks live with...
Former Vice President Dick Cheney dies

Former Vice President Dick Cheney dies

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Dick Cheney, vice president to former President George W. Bush, has died. He was 84. His family was with him Monday evening and said the...
Illinois quick hits: Ceremonies planned for new lawyers; energy efficiency grants announced

Illinois quick hits: Ceremonies planned for new lawyers; energy efficiency grants announced

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Ceremonies planned for new lawyers Bar admission ceremonies are scheduled across the state Wednesday for the 1,637 people who passed the...
26 states participate in federal SAVE program to ensure only US citizens are voting

26 states participate in federal SAVE program to ensure only US citizens are voting

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square In less than a few months, 26 states have begun working with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to ensure only U.S. citizens are voting...