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.
Fri Jun 12
83° 66°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Vance lays out where government shutdown negotiations stand
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With the federal government officially shut down, the Trump administration is prepared to “take extraordinary steps” to maintain essential functions as congressional negotiations continue, Vice...
Lady Braves, Braves run at Cumberland Invite
Featured Photo: Emmy Kusterman, a fifth-grader for the Lady Braves, posted a strong time of 15:35.38 to finish 21st overall at Wednesday's cross country meet in Toledo. (Photo by Terri...
Maine residential Amazon delivery includes 250 election ballots, rice, plates
By Chris WadeThe Center Square Maine Republicans are calling for a criminal investigation after hundreds of mail ballots for the November election were mistakenly sent to a woman in an...
WATCH: Labor leaving agreed-bill process has consequences, Illinois legislator warns
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) − Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he understands why labor leaders are walking away from the agreed-bill process,...
Warriors Dominate Lawrenceville, Improve to 5-0 and Clinch Playoff Berth
By Terri Cox | Staff Writer LAWRENCEVILLE - The Casey-Westfield Warriors traveled to Lawrenceville on Saturday afternoon, spoiling the Indians' Homecoming game at Loeb Field. The Warriors shined in all...
Casey Rotary Club welcomed District Governor John Calderon
The Casey Rotary Club welcomed District Governor 6490 John Calderon as the guest speaker for its Sept. 23 meeting at Richards Farm Restaurant. Calderon spoke about Rotary International’s continued effort...
WATCH: Illinois Republicans propose law putting distance between protesters, police
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois statehouse Republicans are pushing for a measure to give police conducting official business some distance from...
Economists: Bears’ Arlington Heights stadium won’t bring promised benefits
By Jon Styf | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Economists say that reports making large economic claims about a new Chicago Bears stadium in Arlington Heights...
Trump-era move to limit prison unions draws fire from lawmakers and staff
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Supporters of President Donald Trump’s plan to scale back collective bargaining say union contracts raise taxpayer...
Illinois quick hits: Durbin declines award; nearly $1B in sports betting revenue
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Durbin declines award Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin has decided not to receive an award from the Archdiocese of Chicago for...
WATCH: Trump, Pritzker trade barbs; U.S. Senate talks Chicago; partial government shutdown
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 airs the latest...
WATCH: Trump calls Pritzker ‘loser’ as governor prepares for troop deployment lawsuit
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – President Donald Trump says Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is a “loser” and that the city needs the...
Illinois quick hits: Quantum facility breaks ground; immigration group responds to raid
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Quantum facility breaks ground Ground is broken for the first project at the planned Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park at Quantum...
