Illinois quick hits: Foreign national indicted for fraud; Chicago Public Schools budget approved
August 29, 2025/
Foreign national indicted for fraud
A foreign national has been indicted in U.S. District Court in Chicago for allegedly defrauding numerous individuals out of at least $2.6 million and willfully evading income taxes.
Jawad Fakroune, 45, also known by “Angelino Escobar” and other names, is facing 15 federal counts of wire fraud and tax-related charges.
Chicago Public Schools budget approved
The Chicago Board of Education has adopted a $10.2 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026.
The board voted 12-7 to approve the spending plan, which did not include a high-interest loan favored by Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union.
Former chancellor dies
Former University of Illinois Chancellor Michael Aiken has died at the age of 93.
Aiken served as the school’s sixth chancellor from 1993 to 2001. U of I officials said he died Monday in Cody, Wyoming.
Wed Jun 3
86° 66°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 for May 21, 2026
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | May 21, 2026 The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education held its regular meeting Thursday, May 21, 2026, at...
District 210 Transportation Update Details Fuel Swings, New Bus Safety Technology
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | May 21, 2026 Article Summary: Lincoln-Way District 210 Transportation Director Andy Rezer told the board on Thursday, May 21, 2026, that fuel...
Lincoln-Way 210 Reports Lowest High School Tax Rate in the Area
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | May 21, 2026 Article Summary: Superintendent Dr. Scott Tingley told the Lincoln-Way District 210 board on Thursday, May 21, 2026, that the...
Lincoln-Way North to Host TV Pilot Filming Under $210,000 Rental Deal
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | May 21, 2026 Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education on Thursday, May 21, 2026, unanimously approved a rental agreement...
Lincoln-Way 210 Backs Mokena Downtown TIF Extension to 2044
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | May 21, 2026 Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education on Thursday, May 21, 2026, voted unanimously...
Bill to let felons vote from prison draws criticism from Republicans
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Some Democrats and electoral rights groups want progress on legislation in Springfield that would give people in...
Supreme Court yet to decide high profile cases
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Birthright citizenship, transgender athletes in female sports and federal firing powers are among more than two dozen cases yet to be decided by the U.S....
Government spending on seniors’ benefits soon to make up majority of federal budget
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square More than half of the federal budget will go toward benefits for Americans 65 years and older by 2036, and that percentage is set to...
Illinois Dems seek to expand post-release convict support, housing
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Lawmakers in Springfield are pushing to pass legislation to provide people recently released from prison with housing,...
$580B federal highway bill clears committee; includes rail safety, EV fees
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square A long-awaited bill spending $580 billion on American highways and transportation infrastructure is on track to hit the U.S. House floor for a vote as...
Tennessee smuggling charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia dismissed
By Kim JarrettThe Center Square A federal judge dismissed Tennessee charges against a man who, at one time, was at the center of the immigration debate. Kilmar Abrego Garcia was...
NASA reorganizes to accelerate Moon Base, lunar programs
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square NASA announced a reorganization of the agency Friday, restructuring key mission directorates to accelerate its lunar exploration program even as Congress and the White House...
Gabbard announces resignation, cites personal reasons
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced her resignation Friday afternoon, citing personal reasons. The former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii will remain at her post...
