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 18
80° 62°
Sunny
Latest News Stories
Tips solicited for Brown University still at-large shooter
By Chris WadeThe Center Square Law enforcement officials continued their hunt for the suspect in the deadly shooting at Brown University on Wednesday as they doubled down on calls for...
Illinois quick hits: Bovino thanks police; fire assistance grants available
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Bovino thanks police U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commander Gregory Bovino has expressed his appreciation to police officers in Chicago and...
Senate passes $900 billion Pentagon funding bill, sends to Trump’s desk
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Senate passed the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act in a 77-20 vote Wednesday, sending the roughly $901 billion bill to President Donald Trump's...
Bongino to resign as FBI deputy director in January
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Dan Bongino, deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, will vacate his position in January. Bongino gave no reason for his leaving in the...
IL House Speaker: ‘not even close’ to school choice legislation
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The speaker of the Illinois House says he would put school choice legislation up for a vote...
IL comptroller: Chicago mayor’s policies chase businesses away
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza says Chicago is chasing job creators away with crippling policies. Citadel moved 900...
Menards settles deceptive 11% rebate lawsuit for $4.25M with 10 states
By Jon Styf | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Wisconsin-based Menards has agreed to pay a combined $4.25 million to settle a lawsuit from 10 states...
WATCH: Illinois decoupling law recaptures taxes federal code cuts
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Illinois decoupling from portions of the federal tax code was necessary to keep...
WATCH: Amid continued enforcement, Pritzker tells ICE protesters: ‘Do as you have’
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Immigration enforcement continues in Illinois as Gov. J.B. Pritzker again encouraged protesters to “do as you have.”...
WATCH: Pritzker enacts assisted suicide law, other bills; Gun storage law begins Jan. 1
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 reviews the proponents...
Two states designate Muslim group as terrorist, but other GOP governors mum
By Johnny EdwardsThe Center Square The governors of Texas and Florida have declared the nation’s largest Muslim advocacy group a foreign terrorist organization, but they may stand alone. None of...
Everyday Economics: A divided Fed heads into a critical data week
By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square The Federal Reserve cut interest rates again last week, lowering the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 3½–3¾ percent....
Person of interest in custody in deadly Brown University shooting
By Christen Smith and Dan McCalebThe Center Square A "person of interest" is in custody in connection to Saturday's shooting at Brown University that left two people dead and nine...
