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 Jul 27
80° 60°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
County Approves $22 Million in Road Projects for Lorenzo Road and Mills Road
Will County Board Meeting | January 15, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board approved major infrastructure contracts, including an $18.8 million bridge replacement on Lorenzo Road and a $3.2...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan Fire Protection District for Dec. 15, 2025
Manhattan Fire Protection District Meeting | Dec. 15, 2025 The Manhattan Fire Protection District Board of Trustees met on Monday, Dec. 15, to handle end-of-year business, including insurance renewals, contract...
Landfill Committee Advances Plan to Purchase Fourth Compressor for RNG Plant
Will County Landfill Committee Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: The Landfill Committee voted to move forward with engineering estimates for a fourth compressor at the Prairie View Renewable...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan Village Board for Jan. 20, 2026
Manhattan Village Board Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Manhattan Village Board met on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, to handle routine administrative business and receive end-of-year reports from...
Ad-Hoc Committee Retains Noise Ordinance Despite Enforcement Frustrations
Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: The Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee voted to retain the county’s public nuisance noise ordinance despite members describing...
Will County Commits $15M to Transfer Sanitary District Operations to City of Joliet
Will County Board Meeting | January 15, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board has authorized an intergovernmental agreement to dissolve the Southeast Joliet Sanitary District and transfer its water...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way 210 Board of Education for Jan. 15, 2026
Lincoln-Way 210 Board of Education Meeting | Jan. 15, 2026 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education met on Thursday, January 15, 2026, covering a...
Manhattan Updates Financial Signatories and IMRF Representation
Manhattan Village Board Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026 Article Summary: The Manhattan Village Board approved two resolutions to update authorized signatures for village financial accounts and appoint a new agent...
Fire District Establishes Fees for Lift Assists
Manhattan Fire Protection District Meeting | Dec. 15, 2025 Article Summary: The board approved a new ordinance establishing fees for "excessive" lift assists, though officials noted the policy is primarily for...
Prairie View Landfill Expansion Plans Take Shape as Consultants Navigate Design Challenges
Will County Landfill Committee Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: Geologic Associates presented a detailed status update on the proposed expansion of the Prairie View Landfill, outlining a dual...
County Committee Proposes Federal Study on “Legacy Pollution” Near Joliet and Romeoville Refineries
Article Summary: In a draft lobbying platform presented to the Will County Board, the Legislative Committee outlined a request for a federal study to identify and mitigate health risks in...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan School District 114 for Jan. 14, 2026
Manhattan School District 114 Meeting | Jan. 14, 2026 The Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education met on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, to conduct its first business of the...
Manhattan Police Chief Reports Rise in Traffic Accidents; Ordinance Violations Surge
Manhattan Village Board Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026 Article Summary: Manhattan Police Chief Jeff Gulli presented annual statistics to the Village Board on Tuesday, noting a concerning increase in traffic...
