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.
Fri Jun 5
86° 65°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
Illinois quick hits: Illinois House speaker’s son to attend private school; AFSCME workers set strike date at Illinois State University; IDOT urges public to avoid distracted driving
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Illinois House speaker's son to attend private school Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, says his son will attend a...
Federal-state showdown looms over regulation of prediction markets
By Brett Rowland and Jon StyfThe Center Square The federal government is telling states to back off attempts to regulate prediction markets after several states took legal action to block...
No-knock warrant legislation brings Chicago victim, Illinois gun group together
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A diverse group of supporters are pushing to restrict no-knock search warrants in Illinois, but many law...
Trump promises ‘complete demolition’ in Iran as deadline looms
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump promised "complete demolition" of Iran on Tuesday if the nation's leaders do not agree to a deal to reduce nuclear weapons development...
‘We leave no American behind’: President Trump details Easter rescue of downed airman
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The successful Easter rescue of the downed F-15 airman who went missing in Iran was “one of the largest, most complex, most harrowing” combat search...
Michigan charges dentist in alleged ‘massive’ Medicaid fraud scheme
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel continues pursuing fraud cases across the state, announcing charges against a Macomb County dentist in what prosecutors described as a...
Illinois bill sparks debate over police privacy vs. public access
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker and law enforcement officer says a controversial proposal to change how police records...
Signature process begins to ban large data centers in Ohio
By David BeasleyThe Center Square Sponsors of a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban the construction of any new large data centers in Ohio have cleared another hurdle in getting...
U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear veteran’s benefits challenge
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Monday to hear an Army veteran's challenge over reduced disability benefits. The court agreed to hear Johnson v. United...
Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Illinois public transport gun ban
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to decide whether individuals can carry firearms on public transportation. The court declined to take up Schoenthal v....
Illinois Quick Hits: Report says Pekin Bowling Center ‘taxed out of business’
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Sunset Lanes in Pekin is set to close later this month as the bowling center’s owner says it is being “taxed...
Tiffany vows to end subsidies for data centers in Wisconsin
By Jon StyfThe Center Square Wisconsin congressman and candidate for governor Tom Tiffany said that he will “end subsidies for data centers in Wisconsin” if he becomes governor. Tiffany was...
Public Works Secures $58,900 Valve Trailer, Seeks Federal Grants for Infrastructure
Village of Manhattan Meeting | March 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Manhattan Village Board authorized the purchase of a specialized $58,900 trailer to modernize water valve maintenance, while Public Works announced...
