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.
Community Events
FridayDecember 12, 2025
SaturdayDecember 13, 2025
MondayDecember 15, 2025
TuesdayDecember 16, 2025
WednesdayDecember 17, 2025
ThursdayDecember 18, 2025
Latest News Stories
After Initial Rejection and Tense Debate, Board Reconsiders and Approves Contested DuPage Township Business
Article Summary: In a rare reversal, the Will County Board approved a special use permit for a landscaping business in a residential area of DuPage Township after the measure initially...
New law sparks debate over Illinois school mergers, communities fear loss
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new law that could push school districts to study possible consolidation, aiming for efficiency and...
Frankfort Township Highway Department Upgrades Aging Fleet, Starts Grant Project
Article Summary: The Frankfort Township Highway Department is in the process of replacing equipment that is up to two decades old, having recently received a new small leaf vacuum and a...
Mokena Library Board Approves Tentative Budget for 2025-2026 Fiscal Year
Mokena Community Public Library District Board of Trustees Meeting | July 2025 Article SummaryThe Mokena Community Public Library District Board of Trustees has formally approved its tentative budget and appropriation...
Trump-appointed judge blasts administration for campaign against judiciary
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square A federal judge dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit against all 15 federal district judges in Maryland Tuesday, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of the case and...
Report: Teachers’ unions give millions to progressive causes
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The two largest U.S. teachers unions have donated over $40 million to progressive organizations and initiatives, a new report found. Since 2022, the American Federation...
Illinois quick hits: Record hotel tax revenues reported; grocer sentenced for SNAP, WIC fraud
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Record hotel tax revenues reported Illinois tourism numbers for 2024 saw an all-time high for hotel tax revenue. The Illinois Department...
Trump goes on attack over digital services taxes, threatens tariffs
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump broadly attacked other nations' plans for a digital services tax, which he said were designed to harm U.S. companies while giving others...
WATCH: Policy questions loom as Pritzker announces ag investment, tax credits
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says a new fertilizer production facility in Douglas County is a major win for...
Report: Claims that preserving coal plants will cost $6B based on unlikely assumptions
By Tate MillerThe Center Square A new report released Tuesday by America’s Power challenges environmental organization-sponsored claims circulating that say the Trump administration’s decision to preserve coal power plants will...
Federal officials confirm case of New World screwworm
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Federal officials confirmed a human case of New World screwworm on Tuesday and said the government will be monitoring livestock in response to the threat....
Colorado committed to increasing housing supply
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado remains committed to building more homes to address the ongoing housing crisis. Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, joined state legislators in making that commitment....
Stock market weathers Fed governor’s attempted firing well
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Tuesday’s stock market remained little changed from Monday, despite President Donald Trump’s attempted termination of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook on Monday evening. The major...
