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

Experts dispute Arizona governor's claims about state-funded school choice program

Experts dispute Arizona governor’s claims about state-funded school choice program

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square Arizona education experts are pushing back on claims Gov. Katie Hobbs made about the Empowerment Scholarship Account program during her State of the State this...
DOJ claims 'substantial progress' made on Epstein files, but no new releases

DOJ claims ‘substantial progress’ made on Epstein files, but no new releases

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Four weeks after the congressionally-mandated release deadline, the Department of Justice says it is making “substantial progress” in its review of the millions of remaining...
Trump eyes tariffs to pressure Greenland

Trump eyes tariffs to pressure Greenland

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Friday that he could use tariffs in his bid to annex Greenland, an Arctic island with critical mineral reserves, proximity to...
Group wants records on Minnesota child care assistance program

Group wants records on Minnesota child care assistance program

By Hayley FelandThe Center Square A Washington, D.C.–based oversight organization has formally asked the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families to provide internal records that relate to the state’s...
WATCH: Ives investigates tax dollars for NGOs; Republicans say Pritzker raising energy prices

WATCH: Ives investigates tax dollars for NGOs; Republicans say Pritzker raising energy prices

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square's Greg Bishop talks live with Jeanne...
ICE hiring ban bill reignites SAFE-T Act fight at Illinois Capitol

ICE hiring ban bill reignites SAFE-T Act fight at Illinois Capitol

By Catrina Baker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A newly introduced bill that would bar former Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from working in...
Illinois Quick Hits: OIG recommends firing 5 employees

Illinois Quick Hits: OIG recommends firing 5 employees

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Office of Inspector General says its work in the fourth quarter of 2025 led to...
Firms team up with states to scrutinize health care spending

Firms team up with states to scrutinize health care spending

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square A number of companies have responded to state financial officers’ December letter urging them to audit their health care spending. In line with multiple initiatives...
St. Paul students marked absent after protests against ICE

St. Paul students marked absent after protests against ICE

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Hundreds of students from high schools in St. Paul, Minnesota, walked out of class this week to protest the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement...
Poll: Trump’s approval rating falls 16% in Arizona

Poll: Trump’s approval rating falls 16% in Arizona

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square President Donald Trump’s approval rating among Arizonans declined 16 percentage points from February to December, a new poll shows. Noble Predictive Insights released a poll...
SCOTUS to consider second election law case

SCOTUS to consider second election law case

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court ruled this week that an Illinois congressman had the right to sue the state over ballot counting after Election Day. The...
Medical device manufacturer invests $110M to expand Nebraska plant, boost drug supply

Medical device manufacturer invests $110M to expand Nebraska plant, boost drug supply

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square A major American medical device manufacturer is investing $110 million to expand production in Nebraska as part of an effort to restore pharmaceutical manufacturing and...
Chicago council considers 'not a tax' surcharge on hotels

Chicago council considers ‘not a tax’ surcharge on hotels

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago’s city council is considering a new assessment on hotel stays that supporters say would raise about...

IL Senate GOP: Pritzker, not Trump, raised power bills

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Senate Republicans say Gov. J.B. Pritzker is wrong to blame President Donald Trump for high electric...
SC weighs whether Amazon must pay workers for mandatory COVID screenings

SC weighs whether Amazon must pay workers for mandatory COVID screenings

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Supreme Court is considering whether Amazon must compensate warehouse workers for time spent waiting...