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.
Today Jun 4
82° 69°
Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Pritzker’s commission report pushes for local investigations of federal ‘brutality’
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Illinois Accountability Commission has released its report on alleged abuses by federal immigration law...
Illinois mulls change allowing pension investment in anti-Israel companies
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Multiple speakers shared personal stories Thursday from the conflict between Israeli forces and Palestinians in an effort...
Board Establishes New Regulations and Fees for Wireless Telecommunication Facilities
Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: In response to the state's Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act, the Will County Board passed Ordinance 26-134 to manage the...
Lincoln-Way Central Auxiliary Field to Get $463,875 Artificial Turf Upgrade
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Board of Education approved the purchase of artificial turf from FieldTurf USA for $463,875.62, which will...
Historic Joseph Perry House in Crete Granted Landmark Status
Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board officially designated the Joseph Ferris Perry House in Crete Township as a historical landmark, protecting the...
State House OKs access to abortion medication at colleges
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square The Colorado House on Monday approved a bill allowing for the access of abortion medication on college campuses. House Bill 1335 is sponsored by Reps....
Nonprofit hospitals called out for prioritizing politics over patients
By Tate MillerThe Center Square Consumer protection organization Consumers’ Research launched a campaign to warn Congress about nonprofit hospitals that prioritize "woke" politics such as diversity, equity and inclusion, transgender...
Americans back birthright citizenship 2-to-1, poll finds
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A majority of U.S. adults say children born in the country should automatically get citizenship, according to a new poll published as the U.S. Supreme...
Roy leads congressional delegation calling to halt federal funding for CAIR
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Outgoing U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, is again calling on the federal government to take action against the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), this time...
Marilyn Monroe’s home becomes a monument; owners sue
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Marilyn Monroe's home is the subject of a federal lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles. Brinah Milstein and Roy Bank purchased the property in...
Abbott lauds Supreme Court’s second ruling upholding Texas’ new congressional maps
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ruled for a second and final time in favor of Texas’ redistricting law, effectively ending all challenges to the...
Illinois quick hits: Appeals court upholds Madigan corruption conviction
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Appeals court upholds Madigan corruption conviction The Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has upheld former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s...
Special session for congressional maps set to convene
By David BeasleyThe Center Square Florida's Legislature reconvenes Tuesday for a special called session that will consider new congressional maps. Republicans could gain as many as four congressional seats in...
