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

IL Labor Relations Board director: Rideshare unionization bill could double budget

IL Labor Relations Board director: Rideshare unionization bill could double budget

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A bill allowing rideshare drivers to unionize while imposing fees on riders would present a conflict of...
City Council Meeting Briefs.Purple

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey City Council for March 2, 2026

Casey City Council Meeting | March 2, 2026 The Casey City Council met on Monday, March 2, 2026, to address a variety of financial and legislative items. The meeting was...
Casey Westfield School Board.1

Science Students Test Physics with Marble Runs and Paper Boats

Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | Feb. 23, 2026 Article Summary: Casey-Westfield science and math students recently engaged in hands-on engineering challenges to test theoretical concepts. Projects included 8th graders engineering...
Clark County Graphic.6

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Clark County Board for Jan. 16, 2026

Clark County Board Meeting | Jan. 16, 2026 The Clark County Board met on Friday, January 16, 2026, at the Courthouse to address a range of public safety, infrastructure, and...
Screenshot 2026-03-04 at 10.58.40 AM

Fiber Internet Expansion Brings Construction Oversight Concerns

Casey City Council Meeting | March 2, 2026 Article Summary: Director of Public Works Ryan Staley reported that Frontier Communications is preparing to install approximately 25,000 feet of fiber optic...
Casey Westfield School Board.3

Students Excel in Academic Contests and “Soup-er Bowl” Drive

Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | Feb. 23, 2026 Article Summary: Building reports presented to the School Board highlighted student achievements ranging from a massive canned food drive at Monroe Elementary...
Clark County Graphic.5

County Website Redesign and Highway Projects Discussed

Clark County Board Meeting | Jan. 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Board received a proposal to overhaul the county website at a cost of $11,500, with additional costs for specific...
Screenshot 2026-03-04 at 10.58.34 AM

Council Approves Renaming Street “Jim Bolin’s Way”

Casey City Council Meeting | March 2, 2026 Article Summary: To honor a prominent local business figure, the Council voted to rename a section of Northeast 15th Street and Grant...
Casey Westfield School Board.3

Monroe Elementary Launches Mentorship Program and Honors Late Teacher

Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | Feb. 23, 2026 Article Summary: Monroe Elementary has introduced a new "Lunch Buddy" mentorship program connecting community members with students. The school also held a...
Clark County Graphic.4

Staffing Deficiencies Force Ambulance Service to Decline 115 Transfers

Clark County Board Meeting | Jan. 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Clark County Ambulance Service turned down approximately 115 interfacility transfer calls in December due to staffing shortages, according to...
Screenshot 2026-03-04 at 10.58.27 AM

City Partners with School District for Resource Officer

Casey City Council Meeting | March 2, 2026 Article Summary: The City Council formally approved a retroactive intergovernmental agreement with the Casey-Westfield Community Unit School District No. 4C to provide...
Casey Westfield School Board.2

Superintendent Warns of Transportation Funding Shortfall Despite State Budget Proposal

Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | Feb. 23, 2026 Article Summary: Superintendent Mike Shackelford updated the Board on the state's proposed FY2027 budget, highlighting a discrepancy between proposed funding and the...
Illinois municipalities push for local fuel tax as gas prices rise

Illinois municipalities push for local fuel tax as gas prices rise

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Some Illinois municipal leaders are pushing for the ability to impose local fuel taxes at a time...
What's in the bipartisan housing bill?

What’s in the bipartisan housing bill?

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. senators will vote this week on a massive bipartisan package that aims to expand housing supply and affordability for Americans. The 21st Century ROAD...
Arizona, others back birthright citizenship in amicus brief

Arizona, others back birthright citizenship in amicus brief

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes joined her fellow Democratic attorneys general from 22 other states and the District of Columbia in filing an amicus brief...