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 3
86° 66°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Student Council Presidents Highlight Senior Year Accomplishments
Lincoln Way's three student council presidents delivered their final speeches of the school year, highlighting major accomplishments and memorable events before graduating this weekend. Jason Sro from Lincoln Way Central...
Will County Board Meeting Briefs Package
COUNTY APPOINTMENTS Fire Protection District: Board approved county executive appointments to Manhattan Fire Protection District board. Agricultural Committee: Approved appointment to Agricultural Area Committee with Member Judy Ogala abstaining due...
Manhattan Police Reports
On May 14th, at 1225 A.M. officers observed a vehicle traveling in the area of West North & Foxford at a high rate of speed. Officers radar indicated the gray...
Manhattan District Adopts New Math Program After Comprehensive Review
The Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education unanimously approved the adoption of Eureka Math Squared for kindergarten through eighth grade on Tuesday, concluding a year-long evaluation process involving 25...
Manhattan Junior High Scholastic Bowl Team Places Second at State Championship
Manhattan Junior High School's scholastic bowl team achieved a historic milestone by placing second in the state championship, marking the first time in the program's eight-year history that the team...
Enrollment Growth Prompts Staffing Discussions as Construction Continues
Manhattan School District 114 continues managing significant enrollment growth while construction projects remain on schedule for completion by the end of the school year. Current kindergarten enrollment of 218 students...
School District 114 Meeting Briefs
Budget Display Scheduled: The district's fiscal year 2025 amended budget will be on public display from May 15 through June 17, with board approval scheduled for the June 17 meeting....
Manhattan Road District Eyes $2.1M Budget, Hinges on Unguaranteed Solar Farm Funds
The Manhattan Township Road District is proposing a $2.15 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year, a plan that includes the purchase of a new truck and finishing a storage...
Manhattan Township Delays Decision on Critical Server Upgrade Amid Security Concerns
Manhattan Township officials are weighing a costly but necessary technology upgrade after learning their primary server is a decade old and runs on unsupported software, posing a potential cybersecurity risk....
Frankfort Park District Reorganizes Board, Explores Options for Tax-Impacting Projects
FRANKFORT – The Frankfort Park District Board seated its re-elected members, reorganized its leadership, and approved its new annual budget on Tuesday, while also revealing it is actively exploring options...
Assessor Announces End to “Empathetic” Tax Reductions, Raises Senior Freeze Threshold
Manhattan Township homeowners will see two significant changes in property assessment rules, including the end of a long-standing practice of granting tax reductions for fire-damaged properties and a beneficial increase...
Meeting Briefs: Manhattan Township for May 13, 2025
Officials Sworn into Office: Clerk Kelly Baltas administered the oath of office to newly elected and re-elected officials. Taking the oath were Supervisor James F. Walsh and Trustees Eileen Fitzer, Paul...
Aging Sara Park Building Poses Challenge for Park District
The Frankfort Park District is grappling with how to address the deteriorating Sara Park building, whose roof is in "bad shape" and whose location within a flood plain complicates any...
