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 5
86° 65°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Latest News Stories
Advocates urge stable tariff policy, protections against China
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Advocates sparred Wednesday over the Trump administration’s trade and national security policy, particularly with concerns over China. Advocates and experts gathered at the American Institute...
Illinois senators scrutinize diversity commission’s high salaries, poor performance
By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- An Illinois state senator, responding to an investigation by The Center Square, suggested Wednesday that the state's...
Trump demands second ‘big beautiful bill’ on his desk by June 1
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Seven weeks into the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, President Donald Trump is working with Republican congressional leaders to craft a party-line budget reconciliation bill...
JJC Board Approves Fall 2026 Course Fees Amid Debate Over Student Costs
Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | March 11, 2026 Article Summary: The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees approved a series of course fee increases for the Fall 2026...
ALEC: State regulations drive up electricity prices
By Alton WallaceThe Center Square Electricity prices and other measures of consumer energy affordability are highest in states with the most extensive policy mandates, compliance requirements, and the most rigid...
Chicago mayor announces homelessness plan with unclear funding sources
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago officials unveiled a plan they say would effectively end homelessness in the city, even as questions...
Minnesota wins legal fight over tuition benefits for illegal immigrants
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A federal judge has dismissed a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit challenging Minnesota’s policy of offering in-state tuition and certain scholarships to students in the...
Illini Final Four trip expected to benefit University of Illinois, state of Indiana
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A University of Illinois professor says the economic benefit of the school’s mens basketball team reaching the...
Trump makes history at Supreme Court amid landmark birthright citizenship challenge
By Emily Rodriguez and Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump made history Wednesday by attending oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court over his executive order seeking to end...
New Hampshire school district sued over transgender policies
By Chris WadeThe Center Square A New Hampshire school district is being investigated by the Trump administration over allegations that administrators are allowing biological men to use girls’ restrooms and...
Trump watches as high court hears challenge to his birthright citizenship order
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to attend Supreme Court oral arguments, observing as the justices considered a challenge Wednesday to his...
Illinois Quick Hits: Prtizker says Trump order is unconstitutional
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says President Donald Trump’s executive order issued on Tuesday to address election integrity is...
U of I pressed on costly abandoned development project, stance on DEI directives
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As many Illinois universities face multimillion dollar budget deficits, state senators were critical of spending by the...
