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.
Sat Jun 13
73° 51°
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Planning and Zoning Commission for December 2, 2025
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | December 2, 2025 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Will County Planning and Zoning Commission met on December 2, 2025, to consider a variety of...
Metra Announces No Fare Hikes; Highlights Bridge Projects in Joliet and Mokena
Will County Committee of the Whole Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: Metra officials presented a balanced 2026 budget to the Will County Board, confirming that riders will not see...
Public Works Committee: Will County Consolidates Paratransit Services Amid Funding Debates
Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | December 2, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board’s Public Works Committee advanced an agreement to consolidate paratransit services into a single countywide...
Park Board Pivots to Van Purchase Following Bus Price Increases
Mokena Community Park District Board Meeting | October 2025 Article Summary: Facing high costs for a new bus, the Park Board voted to purchase two passenger vans instead, a move...
P&Z Commission: Peotone Area Variances Forwarded for Garage and Pole Barn
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | December 2, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission approved variance requests for two properties in Peotone Township, allowing...
Peotone License Plate Camera Renewal Sparks Privacy Debate in Public Works Committee
Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | December 2, 2025 Article Summary: A renewal of an agreement allowing license plate reading (LPR) cameras in Peotone passed the Public Works Committee,...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Mokena Community Public Library District Board for October 28, 2025
Mokena Community Public Library District Board Meeting | October 28, 2025 The Mokena Community Public Library District Board met on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, to handle fiscal planning and administrative...
Par District Explores Expanded Fireworks Show for USA’s 250th Anniversary
Mokena Community Park District Board Meeting | October 2025 Article Summary: Park commissioners reviewed a proposal to significantly enhance the 2026 Independence Day fireworks display to celebrate the nation's semiquincentennial....
Joliet Unity Movement Criticizes Board’s Handling of Cannabis Tax Revenue
Will County Board Meeting | December 4, 2025 Article Summary: During public comment, the Joliet Unity Movement denounced a recent board vote that redirected cannabis tax revenue away from community...
Republicans divided over how to address rising health care costs
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Senate will hold a doomed vote next week on Democrats’ bill to extend the enhanced Obamacare subsidies for three more years. Senate Republicans,...
Obama-era ‘Welcoming Cities’ program overlaps with illegal border crosser crimes
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square A program launched in partnership with the Obama administration more than a decade ago that certifies localities to “improve immigrant inclusion” overlaps with crimes being...
Expert blasts Illinois Congressman’s push to double H-1Bs as ‘tone-deaf’
By Catrina BarkerThe Center Square A renewed push to double H-1B visas is touted as a talent win, but critics warn it could reshape the tech market by driving down...
Safety Upgrades Planned for Wilmington-Peotone Road; Gas Line Proposal Rejected
Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | December 2, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Public Works Committee approved a $1.9 million engineering contract for improvements to a dangerous stretch...
