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

Illinois quick hits: SNAP to cut Nov. 1 if shutdown continues; Guard-blocking order stays in place

Illinois quick hits: SNAP to cut Nov. 1 if shutdown continues; Guard-blocking order stays in place

By The Center SquareThe Center Square SNAP to cut Nov. 1 if shutdown continues If the federal government shutdown continues past Nov. 1, 1.9 million Illinoisans will lose food assistance....
Energy Dept’s Haustveit at Louisiana Summit: 'More reliable energy' needed

Energy Dept’s Haustveit at Louisiana Summit: ‘More reliable energy’ needed

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square The U.S. will need more reliable energy sources than ever before and the Trump administration will deliver, an assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of...
Trump says U.S. won't survive without tariffs, businesses say they won't survive with them

Trump says U.S. won’t survive without tariffs, businesses say they won’t survive with them

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square People on both sides of a legal challenge to President Donald Trump's tariff authority warn that survival is on the line in the high-profile case...
Nonprofit in tariff challenge case hits back at Trump

Nonprofit in tariff challenge case hits back at Trump

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A nonprofit group challenging President Donald Trump's tariff authority in front of the U.S. Supreme Court said Thursday that Trump's criticism of the group was...
Hanover Park, Illinois, police officer arrested by immigration enforcement

Hanover Park, Illinois, police officer arrested by immigration enforcement

By Greg BishopThe Center Square A Hanover Park, Illinois, police officer has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for being in the country illegally. As part of a...
Florida sues California, Washington for licensing immigrants

Florida sues California, Washington for licensing immigrants

By David BeasleyThe Center Square The state of Florida has filed a complaint with the U.S. Supreme Court against the states of California and Washington, sayinga damage has been caused...
DOJ brings first ever Antifa terrorism charges in Texas ICE attack

DOJ brings first ever Antifa terrorism charges in Texas ICE attack

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Following the designation of Antifa by President Donald Trump as a domestic terror organization, the FBI announced that terrorism charges have been brought against suspects...
Many agree with McMahon that government shutdown proves DoEd is unnecessary

Many agree with McMahon that government shutdown proves DoEd is unnecessary

By Tate MillerThe Center Square U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon’s statement that the now more than two-week long government shutdown reveals the U.S. Department of Education is unnecessary –...
Colorado aids federal workers as shutdown hits week three

Colorado aids federal workers as shutdown hits week three

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado is taking steps to assist its over 50,000 federal employees as the government shutdown enters its third week. While not all of those employees...
Democrats tank bipartisan bill to fund DOD in midst of government shutdown

Democrats tank bipartisan bill to fund DOD in midst of government shutdown

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square In an act of defiance, Democratic senators blocked the House-passed full-year funding bill for the Department of Defense from advancing Thursday. The procedural vote on...
U.S. Chamber of Commerce sues Trump over H-1B visa fee

U.S. Chamber of Commerce sues Trump over H-1B visa fee

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, one of the world's largest business federations, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Thursday over its proposed $100,000...
Senate Republicans offer govt funding olive branch; Democrats refuse it

Senate Republicans offer govt funding olive branch; Democrats refuse it

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Senate Democrats blocked Republicans’ bill to reopen the government for the tenth time Thursday – even after Republican leaders agreed to hold a vote on...
Trump, Putin agree to meet in Hungary to discuss peace

Trump, Putin agree to meet in Hungary to discuss peace

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Following a “lengthy” phone call between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the two have agreed to meet to try to end the...

WATCH: Pritzker says he’s lucky winning $1.4M gambling; GOP say he’s out of touch

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he’s a lucky man after reporting $1.4 million in gambling winnings from...
Report: Sharp decline in trans-identifying youth between 2023 and 2025

Report: Sharp decline in trans-identifying youth between 2023 and 2025

By Tate MillerThe Center Square A sharp decline in Gen Z Americans identifying as transgender and queer has occurred, from 6.8% identifying as a gender other than male or female...