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 12
66°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Illinois GOP backs student privacy complaint against ISU
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Republicans are backing a former candidate, Desi Anderson’s, complaint to the U.S. Department of Education...
Illinois announces lawsuit against Trump admin for use of Guard
By Greg BishopThe Center Square The state of Illinois is seeking a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration for plans to deploy the Illinois and Texas National Guard to...
Illinois quick hits: Lawsuit filed over Guard deployment; 3 charged for using vehicles to impede ICE
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Lawsuit filed over Guard deployment Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has filed a lawsuit challenging what he calls the Trump administration’s...
Negotiations continue in Israel-Hamas peace deal
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Negotiating continues as the freedom of over 40 Israeli hostages lies on the line, a week after President Donald Trump welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin...
WATCH: Trump: Pritzker fears for his life as gov opposes Guard deployment; CTA DEI cuts
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 gets to the...
Op-Ed: Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week: Time to protect Illinois jobs, family businesses
By Bob GorayThe Center Square This week is Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week, a time dedicated to bringing attention to how Illinois’s unfair legal system drains the economy, hurts consumers and...
Bessent names new CEO for tax collection agency
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is serving as acting commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, created a new position to lead the day-to-day operations of...
Insurance giant called out for promoting DEI
By Tate MillerThe Center Square Consumers’ Research launched a seven-figure campaign against Chubb Insurance, stating in its Woke Alert that the company promotes DEI, gender ideology, and climate extremism. Executive...
Fiscal Fallout: Illinois diversity commission’s budget ballooning but results lag
By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Despite federal pushback for diversity, equity and inclusion programs, Illinois has spent millions of dollars in the...
Clark County to Participate in National Opioid Settlement
Article Summary: The Clark County Board has voted to join the National Opioids Settlement, a nationwide agreement resulting from litigation against Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family for their role...
Everyday Economics: Government shutdown clouds economic picture
By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square (The Center Square ) – As Washington remains gridlocked, Americans face more than political theater – they're losing access to critical economic information. The government...
Illinois quick hits: Trump deploys Illinois Nartional Guard; Madigan to report to prison
By The Center SquareThe Center Square Trump deploys Illinois Nartional Guard President Donald Trump will federalize 300 Illinois National Guard troops, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement Saturday. 'Pritzker...
Trump deploys California National Guard to Portland
By Dan McCalebThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Sunday deployed California National Guard troops to Portland after a federal judge in Oregon on Saturday temporarily blocked the president from...
