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.
Community Events
TuesdayDecember 9, 2025
WednesdayDecember 10, 2025
ThursdayDecember 11, 2025
FridayDecember 12, 2025
SaturdayDecember 13, 2025
MondayDecember 15, 2025
TuesdayDecember 16, 2025
WednesdayDecember 17, 2025
Latest News Stories
Senior Shared Housing Facility Recommended for Approval in Crete Township
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | October 21, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended approval for a special use permit that would...
Crete Township ‘Tiny Home’ Owner Appeals Permit Denial
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | October 21, 2025 Article Summary: A Crete Township property owner has appealed to the Will County Planning and Zoning Commission after being...
Will County Finance Committee Forwards 1.75% Compromise Property Tax Levy to Full Board
Will County Finance Committee Forwards 1.75% Compromise Property Tax Levy to Full Board Article Summary:The Will County Board’s Finance Committee on Tuesday, November 12, 2025, narrowly approved a series of...
Americans prepare to spend $1 trillion this holiday shopping season
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square More than half of all Americans plan to buy things over the five-day holiday weekend, the beginning of a retail shopping season with consumers projected...
Illinois quick hits: Migrant youth allegedly murdered homeless Chicago man
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Migrant youth allegedly murdered homeless Chicago man Three juvenile Venezuelan migrants are part of a group that allegedly attacked, murdered, and...
WATCH: Trump calls Pritzker a ‘fat slob,’ Illinois governor blasts president
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – President Donald Trump has revived his criticism of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker over crime, and Pritzker has...
Illinois business group warns of ‘backbreaking’ progressive income tax
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Manufacturers say legislators at the Illinois State Capitol have done enough damage and a progressive tax would...
Illinois tops U.S. in pumpkin production despite recent decline in value
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Despite a recent decline in production value, Illinois is far and away the leader when it comes...
Congress moves to restore federal union powers, critics warn of higher costs
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The U.S. Congress is set to vote on House Resolution 2550, a bill that would restore...
Ukraine agrees to preliminary peace plan; Russian strikes continue
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Ukraine has agreed to a peace deal in hopes of ending the over three-year war with Russia, according to the White House. Following talks in...
Illinois quick hits: Chiropractor sentenced for fraud; fatal airport shooting investigation
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Chiropractor sentenced for fraud A Chicago chiropractor has been sentenced to nearly six years in federal prison for billing a private...
Trump administration ends protected status for Burmese nationals
By Tom JoyceThe Center Square The Trump administration is ending Temporary Protected Status for Burmese nationals, citing improved governance in the country and planned elections next month. The administration said...
Lincoln-Way 210 Receives Clean Audit, Financial Profile Score Downgraded to ‘Review’
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | November 20, 2025 Article Summary: Lincoln-Way District 210 received a clean, unmodified opinion for its Fiscal Year 2025 audit, the highest rating possible....
