Illinois quick hits: Foreign national indicted for fraud; Chicago Public Schools budget approved

Illinois quick hits: Foreign national indicted for fraud; Chicago Public Schools budget approved

August 29, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

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.

More Stories
Weather Full forecast →
Today Jul 21
Mostly Sunny
74° 54°

Mostly Sunny

💨 10 mph 💧 1%
Data: National Weather Service • Updated Jul 22, 9:39 AM Full Forecast →
Site Sections

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Disability-rights advocates sue Illinois over physician-assisted suicide law

Disability-rights advocates sue Illinois over physician-assisted suicide law

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A law that is set to legalize physician-assisted suicide in Illinois is being challenged by disability-rights advocates...
'No kings' at $830 million Obama Center opening

‘No kings’ at $830 million Obama Center opening

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Former President Barack Obama has opened his presidential center in Chicago by saying the United States was...
Illinois Quick Hits: State unemployment rate remains more than 5%

Illinois Quick Hits: State unemployment rate remains more than 5%

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced on Thursday that the state’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at...
Chicago discards proposed ban on unregulated ‘sweepstakes machines’

Chicago discards proposed ban on unregulated ‘sweepstakes machines’

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago City Council voted down a proposed ban on a type of prevalent gaming machines, which...
Taxpayers paying $50 million+ for Chicago-owned bus station

Taxpayers paying $50 million+ for Chicago-owned bus station

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Taxpayers are expected to fork over at least $50 million for Chicago to own and operate a...
Illegal immigrants across U.S. get financial aid for college

Illegal immigrants across U.S. get financial aid for college

By Esther Wickham | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State financial aid continues to expand within higher education, allowing money to go to eligible illegal immigrant...
Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker signs bill creating new state agency

Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker signs bill creating new state agency

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation elevating the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission to the cabinet-level Illinois...
Will County Board Graphic.01

Will County Board Members Spar Over Wheatland Township Mental Health Grant

Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | June 11, 2026 Article Summary: A $155,000 mental health grant to Wheatland Township drew sharp questioning at the Will County Board Executive Committee...
Congressional candidate caught in teen takeover

Congressional candidate caught in teen takeover

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois candidate for Congress says a teen takeover arrived like a storm at a Chicago grocery...
REPORT: 2M Illinoisans face $500 cut as Social Security faces cliff

REPORT: 2M Illinoisans face $500 cut as Social Security faces cliff

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – New data and reports from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget have shown that if no...

Illinois Quick Hits: Cook County announces $20M in CVI spending

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has announced $20 million of taxpayer funding for community violence intervention....
Rising prices growing concern in Illinois, U.S.

Rising prices growing concern in Illinois, U.S.

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As voters express growing concern over inflation, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says federal policies are to blame....
Peoria school safety director faces criticism over social media post

Peoria school safety director faces criticism over social media post

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A social media post by Peoria Public Schools' Director of School Safety is drawing criticism from...
Illinois Quick Hits: Rockford to fill budget gap with reserve funds

Illinois Quick Hits: Rockford to fill budget gap with reserve funds

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Rockford officials are planning to spend reserve funds to close a $9.4 million revenue shortfall. The Rockford...
Feds seek to join case to halt Evanston black ‘reparations’ payments

Feds seek to join case to halt Evanston black ‘reparations’ payments

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The Justice Department is jumping into court against the city of Evanston, lending the heft of the federal government to a lawsuit...