Chicago suburb failed once, but is trying again to redevelop its downtown and displace a business popular for more than 40 years. Without a developer, they only can hope that if they rebuild it, someone will come.
Occupational licensing requirements present one of the steepest barriers to low-income Illinoisans starting careers in beauty services. Illinois requires anyone seeking to become a barber, cosmetologist, nail technician or hair braider to obtain a state license, essentially a permission slip to work. Unlike 45 other states, Illinois offers only one pathway to licensure for each...