August 29, 2025/
Illinois quick hits: Foreign national indicted for fraud; Chicago Public Schools budget approved
Foreign national indicted for fraud
A foreign national has been indicted in U.S. District Court in Chicago for allegedly defrauding numerous individuals out of at least $2.6 million and willfully evading income taxes.
Jawad Fakroune, 45, also known by “Angelino Escobar” and other names, is facing 15 federal counts of wire fraud and tax-related charges.
Chicago Public Schools budget approved
The Chicago Board of Education has adopted a $10.2 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026.
The board voted 12-7 to approve the spending plan, which did not include a high-interest loan favored by Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union.
Former chancellor dies
Former University of Illinois Chancellor Michael Aiken has died at the age of 93.
Aiken served as the school’s sixth chancellor from 1993 to 2001. U of I officials said he died Monday in Cody, Wyoming.
Today Jun 17
75° 57°
Isolated Rain Showers
Latest News Stories
WATCH: GOP U.S. Sen. candidate Tracy on shutdown, tariffs; state expands sanctuary
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop talks live with...
Former Vice President Dick Cheney dies
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Dick Cheney, vice president to former President George W. Bush, has died. He was 84. His family was with him Monday evening and said the...
Illinois quick hits: Ceremonies planned for new lawyers; energy efficiency grants announced
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Ceremonies planned for new lawyers Bar admission ceremonies are scheduled across the state Wednesday for the 1,637 people who passed the...
26 states participate in federal SAVE program to ensure only US citizens are voting
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square In less than a few months, 26 states have begun working with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to ensure only U.S. citizens are voting...
Key races across U.S., redistricting at stake as voters head to polls Tuesday
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Governor’s races, city mayoral campaigns and redistricting initiatives will bring voters to the polls on Tuesday for a consequential off-year Election Day. Elections in California,...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey Township Library Board of Trustees for October 2, 2025
Casey Township Library Board of Trustees Meeting | October 2, 2025 The Casey Township Library Board made a key financial decision at its meeting on Thursday, October 2, 2025, voting...
Nigeria leaders deny Christian genocide, UN attributes violence to ‘climate change’
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Nigerian leaders continue to deny that Christian genocide has been occurring for years as the United Nation has attributed the violence to “climate change.” Over...
Congressional Perks: House members, staff get daycare, on-call doctor
By Arthur KaneThe Center Square Job perks like an on-call doctor, on-site daycare and millions of dollars for food, beverages and bottled water sound like something offered to employees of...
California leaders hope for high voter turnout for Prop. 50
By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square With only one day to go in California before Election Day, legislators expect to see a relatively high voter turnout for the Golden State’s congressional...
Voters to decide two statewide measures, nearly 100 local proposals
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square As Colorado voters prepare for Election Day, they will vote on two statewide ballot measures and nearly 100 local measures across 30 counties. Those measures...
WATCH: Coalition sues to protect student loan forgiveness
By Dave MasonThe Center Square Democratic attorney generals from 22 jurisdictions sued the U.S. Department of Education Monday over its new rule limiting Public Student Loan Forgiveness for government and...
WATCH: California attorney general talks about Prop. 50
By Dave MasonThe Center Square California has nothing to hide. That’s Attorney General Rob Bonta’s response to The Center Square’s question about the U.S. Department of Justice assigning monitors to...
Illinois quick hits: Man charged with threatening Trump; judge grants injunction in shelter funding case
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Man charged with threatening Trump For the second time in less than a week, a person from Illinois has been charged...
