August 13, 2025/

Illinois quick hits: Former Chicago schools dean sentenced for sexual assault

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Former Chicago schools dean sentenced for sexual assault

A former Chicago public school dean has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for sexually assaulting a student over a two-year period.

CWB Chicago reports that Brian Crowder, 43, posed as the victim’s stepfather twice to sign consent forms for her to have abortions.

Prosecutors say Crowder began grooming the girl when he was dean of Greater Lawndale High School for Social Justice.

Tracy running for U.S. Senate

Former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy has announced that he is running for U.S. Senate in 2026.

Tracy released a statement Wednesday morning and said his top priority in Washington would be to lower costs for working families.

Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced in April that he would not seek reelection.

Small business optimism index

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 1.7 points in July to 100.3, slightly above the 52-year average of 98.

National Federation of Independent Business Illinois State Director Noah Finley said small business owners are feeling more optimistic after Congress made the Small Business Deduction permanent, but there is uncertainty in Illinois, where the General Assembly is considering additional tax hikes.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Trump suspends trade talks with Canada over Ronald Reagan ad

Trump suspends trade talks with Canada over Ronald Reagan ad

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump suspended all trade talks with America's largest trading partner over an ad that features former President Ronald Reagan speaking about tariffs in...
lake land college.2

Lake Land College to Invest $195,000 in Advanced Farming Equipment

Lake Land College Board of Trustees Meeting | September, 2025 Article Summary: The Lake Land College Board of Trustees has approved the purchase of a new Strip-Till Bar for $195,000 to...

WATCH: Trump touts counter-narco operations during law enforcement roundtable

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square In the midst of the U.S. counter-narcotics measures in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean and a major crime crackdown, President Donald Trump hosted a...
WATCH: GOP leader calls Pritzker’s accountability commission a 'political stunt'

WATCH: GOP leader calls Pritzker’s accountability commission a ‘political stunt’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has created a new government commission to document the conduct of federal law...
Unions sue Trump over immigrant drivers license crackdown

Unions sue Trump over immigrant drivers license crackdown

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Two national public employee unions sued the Trump administration over its restrictions preventing illegal immigrants from obtaining commercial drivers licenses. The American Federation of Teachers...
Battery storage financials remain in question as lawmakers consider energy omnibus

Battery storage financials remain in question as lawmakers consider energy omnibus

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State lawmakers are expected to include battery storage as part of an energy omnibus bill at the...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker praises credit upgrade; Cook County approves $20M quantum grant

Illinois quick hits: Pritzker praises credit upgrade; Cook County approves $20M quantum grant

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker praises credit upgrade Moody’s Investors Service has upgraded Illinois’ credit rating to A2 for the state’s general obligation bonds. Gov....
Op-Ed: Main Street businesses, customers would bear brunt of a tax on services

Op-Ed: Main Street businesses, customers would bear brunt of a tax on services

By Noah Finley | National Federation of Independent BusinessThe Center Square Even as lawmakers reconvene in Springfield for the fall veto session, special interest groups continue to press for higher...
Supreme Court grants extra time for arguments in tariff case

Supreme Court grants extra time for arguments in tariff case

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court will grant some additional time for oral arguments in a case challenging President Donald Trump's tariff authority, but won't let tribal...

WATCH: White House vows to ‘fight’ lawsuits over $100,000 H-1B visa fee

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The White House on Thursday vowed to fight legal challenges to President Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters...
WATCH: Illinois leaders on both sides send Bailey family condolences for loss of 4

WATCH: Illinois leaders on both sides send Bailey family condolences for loss of 4

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Leaders on both sides of the political aisle are sending condolences to former state Sen. Darren Bailey’s...
Democrats tank GOP bill to pay troops, essential workers during govt shutdown

Democrats tank GOP bill to pay troops, essential workers during govt shutdown

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Republicans’ attempts to avert the worst effects of the ongoing government shutdown failed Thursday after Senate Democrats blocked a bill that would ensure essential federal...
Texas lawmaker introduces agricultural visa reform

Texas lawmaker introduces agricultural visa reform

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A Texas lawmaker introduced legislation to reform the H-2A visa program for agricultural workers. U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-Texas, introduced the Bracero Program...
Home sales rise 1.5% in September as mortgage rates dip

Home sales rise 1.5% in September as mortgage rates dip

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Home sales increased 1.5% in September as mortgage rates dipped, according to the National Association of Realtors. The group said September's 1.5% increase in existing-home...
FBI arrests 34 in NBA, poker gambling probe involving crime families

FBI arrests 34 in NBA, poker gambling probe involving crime families

By Jon StyfThe Center Square Thirty-one people including Miami Heat player Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups were arrested along with 32 others on Thursday morning in...