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.
Thu Jun 4
84° 66°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
Industry advocates: More state regulation will drive insurance rates higher
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Insurance industry leaders are advising Illinois lawmakers that state regulation of rates will lead to higher costs...
Manhattan School District 114 and Teachers Union Finalize New Contract
Article Summary: After months of negotiations, the Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education has unanimously approved a new collective bargaining agreement with its teachers and support staff. The approval...
Manhattan Village Board Donates Surplus Truck to Local Animal Rescue Ranch
Article Summary: The Manhattan Village Board has officially declared a 2007 Ford F-150 pickup truck as surplus property, unanimously voting to donate the vehicle to the Triple H Ranch, a...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Executive Committee for August 14, 2025
The Will County Board Executive Committee received a comprehensive update on the county's expenditure of $134 million in federal ARPA pandemic relief funds, learning that 61% of the total has...
Public education budgets balloon while enrollment, proficiency, standards drop
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In return for soaring state spending on education, Illinois taxpayers are getting chronic absenteeism, poor academic proficiency...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan Township for July 8, 2025
Manhattan Township Meeting | July 2025 Discussions about a massive 5,000-acre solar farm proposed by EarthRise Energy dominated the Manhattan Township meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Supervisor Jim Walsh...
Manhattan Park Board Hires Architect for Round Barn Interior Buildout
Manhattan Park Board Meeting | July 2025 Article Summary: The Manhattan Park Board has approved a resolution to hire Jon Steven Ditter Architect PLLC to design a partial interior buildout of...
Frankfort Approves Over $19 Million in Surplus Fund Transfers for Future Projects
Article Summary: The Frankfort Village Board has approved the transfer of more than $19 million in surplus operating revenues to its capital funds to finance future infrastructure projects, equipment purchases,...
Frankfort Advances Plans for New Multi-Use Paths to Boost Pedestrian Safety
Article SummaryThe Frankfort Village Board has approved a $77,500 agreement with Robinson Engineering, Ltd. to design two new multi-use paths aimed at improving safety and connectivity in Main Park and...
Frankfort Police Department to Purchase New Portable Radios for $31,000
Article SummaryThe Frankfort Village Board has approved the purchase of 14 new Kenwood portable radios for the police department at a cost not to exceed $31,000. The new equipment will...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Village of Frankfort Board for August 18, 2025
The Village of Frankfort Board leveraged a significant budget surplus at its August 18 meeting, approving the transfer of over $19 million into capital funds designated for future infrastructure, equipment,...
Plan launched to place redistricting amendment before voters in 2026
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Two former U.S. Cabinet members have launched a new effort to stop Illinois politicians from drawing their...
30 charged in TdA drug trafficking, murder-for-hire and firearms offenses
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square As part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to pursue violent criminal foreign nationals, two federal indictments were made public charging 30 people, including several...
