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
79° 69°
Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Manhattan Awards Over $1.3 Million in Bids for Major Water Main Upgrades
Village of Manhattan Board Meeting - October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Manhattan Village Board awarded three separate contracts totaling over $1.38 million for significant water infrastructure projects, including improvements...
Will County Board Committee Passes Contentious ‘Live and Work Without Fear’ Resolution on 4-3 Vote
Will County Legislative Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Legislative Committee on Tuesday narrowly passed a controversial resolution affirming the county's commitment to ensuring all residents...
Will County Awards $10.4 Million Contract for Bell Road Widening in Homer Glen Area
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee on Tuesday confirmed the award of a $10.4 million...
Manhattan Township to Set Solar Farm Rules Amid Concerns with Area Projects
Manhattan Township Meeting | September 9, 2025 Article Summary: Manhattan Township will hold a special meeting to establish guidelines for solar energy facilities after officials reported significant construction-related problems at...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee for October 7, 2025
The Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, approved a major construction contract and reviewed extensive plans for both county and state transportation initiatives. The...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Finance Committee for October 7, 2025
The Will County Finance Committee on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, held a contentious meeting centered on the county’s finances, narrowly approving a preliminary $161.6 million county-wide tax levy on a...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee for October 7, 2025
The Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee spent the bulk of its meeting on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, discussing the county’s long-term facilities master plan. Faced with an aging...
Jackson Township Board Discusses High-Speed Rail Uncertainty and Northpoint Development
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Jackson Township Board Meeting | September 10, 2025 Article Summary: During the September 10 meeting, the Jackson Township Board addressed ongoing ambiguity regarding the proposed high-speed...
Southwest falls short on list of great cities to drive
By Dave MasonThe Center Square There’s no place safer to drive in the U.S. than Corpus Christi, Texas. That’s according to a WalletHub study, which puts five Texan cities in...
Govt shutdown predicted to drag on after funding bill fails for 8th time in Senate
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square It’s been two weeks since the federal government shut down, and lawmakers are no closer to reaching a deal after U.S. Senate Democrats voted down...
Supreme Court rejects bid to overturn H-1B visa rule
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to hear a case challenging a rule that allows spouses of H-1B workers to work in the United...
Johnson tells Democrats to ‘bring it’ over pay for U.S. troops
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump's weekend move to pay U.S. troops during a partial government shutdown raised legal questions, but it also relieved pressure on Republicans as...
WATCH: Pritzker vows to continue battling Trump over ‘abuses’ around public safety
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The war of words continues between President Donald Trump and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker over public safety...
