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
State Police address FOID, cyber security audit findings
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As his agency works to correct compliance findings by the state’s auditor general, Illinois State Police Director...
Poll: Trump demonstrates stronger cognitive, communication skills compared to Biden
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A majority of American voters say President Donald Trump has demonstrated better cognitive and physical skills during his second term compared to former President Joe...
Illinois Quick Hits: Red Line funds ordered to be unfrozen
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is hailing a federal judge’s ruling that directs the Trump administration to unfreeze...
EXCLUSIVE: 5 years in, Operation Lone Star seizes 870 million lethal doses of fentanyl
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Five years into Texas’ border security mission, Operation Lone Star officers have seized a record amount of illicit drugs. Gov. Greg Abbott first launched OLS...
Proposal to decrease reliance on paper documents passes House
By Alan WootenThe Center Square Safety is compromised, and costs are increased by outdated rules, U.S. Rep. Brad Knott tells The Center Square. His proposal with Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Mich.,...
Late Sixth-Inning Surge Lifts Casey-Westfield Baseball Past Altamont 4-1
For five innings on Tuesday afternoon, the Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team was completely stymied at the plate. But when the opportunity finally presented itself in the bottom of the sixth,...
Monroe Elementary Reading Initiatives Raise $13,000 as Students Log Nearly 91,000 Minutes
Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | March 16, 2026 Article Summary: Monroe Elementary students shattered reading goals during two concurrent literacy programs, raising substantial funds for the school library and reading...
Gilbert Drives in Five as Casey-Westfield Outslugs Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg 11-7
The Casey-Westfield varsity softball team unleashed a 17-hit offensive barrage on Tuesday afternoon, securing an 11-7 road victory over non-conference opponent Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg. Sophomore G. Gilbert was the primary run producer...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Marshall C.U.S.D. C-2 Board of Education for March 12, 2026
Marshall C.U.S.D. C-2 Board of Education Meeting | March 12, 2026 The Marshall C.U.S.D. C-2 Board of Education met in regular session on Thursday, March 12, 2026, advancing a busy...
Chicago can’t ditch airlines’ suit vs ‘disruptive’ paid sick leave rules
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Saying it appears likely the city's sick leave ordinance would disrupt airlines' ability to function, a federal judge has rejected Chicago City...
FEMA says funding debate didn’t affect response to Hawaii
By Liam HibbertThe Center Square The partial federal government shutdown did not impact the Federal Emergency Management Agency's immediate response to the severe flooding in Hawaii, a FEMA spokesperson told...
Maryland Supreme Court tosses Blue cities’ climate lawsuits against energy companies
By Dan McCalebThe Center Square The Maryland Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed three lawsuits filed by Democrat-run jurisdictions claiming oil and gas companies concealed information about their products’ contributions to...
Arizona Senate majority leader blasts Phoenix resolution limiting ICE operations
By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square Arizona Senate Majority Leader John Kavanagh is criticizing the city of Phoenix for its resolution restricting federal immigration enforcement. Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, told The Center...
