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

Iran reverses course, closes Strait of Hormuz

Iran reverses course, closes Strait of Hormuz

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Less than 24 hours after Iran and President Donald Trump touted the Strait of Hormuz open, the Islamic Republic has reportedly reversed course, closing the...
Los Angeles school district seeks state's money for pay hikes

Los Angeles school district seeks state’s money for pay hikes

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square The Center Square) - The Los Angeles Unified School District managed to avoid a strike this week after reaching 11th-hour agreements with three unions. Now...
Congress kicks off government funding process for 2027

Congress kicks off government funding process for 2027

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Six months out from fiscal year 2027, U.S. lawmakers are making progress on the annual 12 appropriations bills that will fund the federal government. The...
Seattle affordable housing goal elusive despite millionaire's tax

Seattle affordable housing goal elusive despite millionaire’s tax

By Randy DiamondThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- Seattle’s own version of Washington State's planned tax on millionaires is aimed at businesses with millionaire employees, but the goal of...
Illinois Quick Hits: Teachers union says CPS to bus students to rally

Illinois Quick Hits: Teachers union says CPS to bus students to rally

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Teachers Union says Chicago Public Schools leaders have agreed to transform the school day on...
Pritzker says of BUILD Plan for homes would not cost taxpayers

Pritzker says of BUILD Plan for homes would not cost taxpayers

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ramped up his campaign for new housing in Illinois, and he expects taxpayers...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Hermann’s Two-Way Dominance Propels Robinson Past Casey-Westfield 3-1

Senior Eva Hermann delivered a dominant two-way performance, tossing a complete-game gem and launching a crucial home run to lead the Robinson varsity softball team to a 3-1 road conference...
Illinois GOP aims to keep power plants open, increase charge transparency

Illinois GOP aims to keep power plants open, increase charge transparency

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As closure of coal and natural gas powered energy plants loom, a group of GOP lawmakers have...
Inspector: Chicago finance department lacks tools to collect $8.1 billion owed

Inspector: Chicago finance department lacks tools to collect $8.1 billion owed

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago’s inspector general says the city is owed at least $8.1 billion and lacks the tools to...
Congress passes FISA Section 702 stopgap after 18-month extension fails in House

Congress passes FISA Section 702 stopgap after 18-month extension fails in House

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Senate has adopted the House’s 10-day extension of the expiring Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, leaving Republican leadership less than...
Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Five-Run Fifth Inning Propels Casey-Westfield Past Robinson 7-3

The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team capitalized on a massive five-run fifth inning and a steady offensive attack to secure a 7-3 home conference victory over Robinson on Thursday afternoon. Casey-Westfield's...

Illinois lawmakers seek to eliminate state diversity commission

By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- An Illinois state commission has failed its mission to aid businesses owned by racial minorities, women and...
Republican efforts to impeach Walz, Ellison fail in Minnesota

Republican efforts to impeach Walz, Ellison fail in Minnesota

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Republican efforts to impeach lead Democrats in Minnesota ran aground this week following a partisan deadlock in committee. The House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee...
Trump says Iran agrees to turn over 'nuclear dust'

Trump says Iran agrees to turn over ‘nuclear dust’

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The U.S. will receive Iran’s “nuclear dust,” President Donald Trump said Friday. “The U.S.A. will get all the nuclear ‘dust,’ created by our great B2...
U.S. Supreme Court slaps down Chevron oil lawsuit

U.S. Supreme Court slaps down Chevron oil lawsuit

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in an 8-0 decision Friday, sent back a state court ruling in favor of oil companies Chevron and ExxonMobil seeking millions...