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 Likely
Latest News Stories
New Lenox Firefighters Extinguish Garage Fire, Rescue Pets on Somerset Court
Article Summary: The New Lenox Fire Protection District quickly contained a Friday morning garage fire on Somerset Court, preventing the blaze from spreading to the home's main living area and...
Will County Explores Multi-Million Dollar Downtown Joliet Consolidation and City Partnership
Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Capital Improvements and IT Committee reviewed four sweeping architectural options to consolidate county...
Will County Partners with LNS Development for Laraway Road Drainage Improvements in New Lenox
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: The county approved a cost-sharing agreement with a private developer to build shared stormwater management facilities...
Will County Hires LEAP HR Consulting for $12,000 Strategic Plan
Will County Board Meeting | March 19, 2026 Article Summary: Seeking to unify its vision and improve onboarding for new members, the Will County Board will launch a four-month strategic...
Will County Finalizes 2025 Tax Levy at $159.5 Million, Limiting Rate Drops
Briefs: Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Finance Committee reviewed the final 2025 tax levy extension numbers, which came in slightly...
Will County to Take Jurisdiction of Countyline Road Following $1.8 Million Agreement with Kankakee County
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: Will County will absorb a 4.27-mile stretch of Countyline Road into its highway system, aided by...
Will County Expands Narcan Distribution Amid Shifts in Opioid Overdose Demographics
Will County Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | April 2, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Health Department is ramping up its opioid overdose prevention efforts by distributing more...
Additional Skeletal Remains Discovered at Mokena Property
Article Summary: Law enforcement officials have secured a property in Mokena for an extended search after a secondary sweep of the area revealed additional skeletal remains near the site where...
Beecher Man Charged with 10 Felony Counts for Possession of Child Sex Abuse Material
Article Summary: A 45-year-old Beecher resident turned himself in to Will County Sheriff's deputies to face 10 felony counts related to the possession of child sexual abuse material following a...
Manhattan School District 114 Celebrates Historic State Placements for Wrestling, Music, and Bowling
Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education Meeting | April 8, 2026 Article Summary: The Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education recognized an unprecedented series of student achievements across...
Will County Legislative Committee Unanimously Backs Resolution Demanding Return of Local Solar Siting Control
Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Legislative Committee unanimously passed an amended resolution on Tuesday demanding the Illinois General Assembly...
Joseph Perry House Granted Historic Landmark Status
The committee unanimously approved a resolution (26-4451) designating the Joseph Perry House as a Will County Historic Landmark. Located at 365 W. Exchange Street in Crete Township (PIN # 23-15-09-318-016-0000),...
Green Garden Township’s Wildflower Farm Granted Third Extension for Rural Events Permit
Will County Board Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | April 2, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee unanimously approved a third 180-day extension for...
