Illinois quick hits: Foreign national indicted for fraud; Chicago Public Schools budget approved

Illinois quick hits: Foreign national indicted for fraud; Chicago Public Schools budget approved

August 29, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

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.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Trump shares look at Qatari aircraft for AF1

Trump shares look at Qatari aircraft for AF1

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump shared a look at a new aircraft with The Center Square on Friday that will serve as Air Force One. The Air...
Feds plan for student loan interest rates could cost taxpayers

Feds plan for student loan interest rates could cost taxpayers

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education is reducing student loan interest rates for borrowers, but critics argue the move could cost taxpayers billions of dollars. The...
Altadena residents upset about multiple homes on lots

Altadena residents upset about multiple homes on lots

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square A member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is frustrated with state laws allowing multiple homes to be built on single-home sites in...
WATCH: GOP lawmaker voices opposition to gas tax increase

WATCH: GOP lawmaker voices opposition to gas tax increase

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square California drivers can expect the state’s gas tax to go up 2.2 cents on July 1, which will bring the total tax to 63.4 cents...
Experts comment on bill banning U.S. lawmakers from insider prediction bidding

Experts comment on bill banning U.S. lawmakers from insider prediction bidding

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Newly introduced legislation to ban members of Congress from betting in prediction markets should be expanded to include members of all three branches of the...
GOP reacts to Los Angeles proposal for noncitizen voters

GOP reacts to Los Angeles proposal for noncitizen voters

By Robert MattesonThe Center Square The Los Angeles City Council is facing criticism from a Republican Party leader after deciding to move forward with a Nov. 3 ballot initiative to...
Will County Board Graphic.03

Will County Committee Pulls Single-Member District Referendum

Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | June 11, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Executive Committee on Thursday, June 11, 2026, removed a proposed referendum on single-member county...
Cook County taxpayers face projected $550.7 million deficit

Cook County taxpayers face projected $550.7 million deficit

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has projected a budget gap of $550.7 million dollars for fiscal...
Further Middle East unrest dominates tense delay of peace deal signing

Further Middle East unrest dominates tense delay of peace deal signing

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square In a day that was supposed to feature technical negotiations following the signing of a preliminary peace deal, Iran has instead issued multiple warnings and...
Illinois Quick Hits: Economic development summit set for next week

Illinois Quick Hits: Economic development summit set for next week

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Economic Development Summit is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. Topics include transportation, energy, workforce strategy,...
California legislator accuses Newsom of violating state code

California legislator accuses Newsom of violating state code

By Robert MattesonThe Center Square Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, R-San Diego, has commented further about his call for California Gov. Gavin Newsom to be investigated for using state resources for personal...
Op-Ed: What is the Declaration of Independence?

Op-Ed: What is the Declaration of Independence?

By Rob Natelson | Mountain States Policy CenterThe Center Square I frequently answer constitutional questions from individuals who want to know more about the relationship between the Constitution and the...
Illinois sees biggest drop in gas prices nationwide, still above $4 average

Illinois sees biggest drop in gas prices nationwide, still above $4 average

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The national average price for a gallon of motor fuel has steadily dropped in the past week,...
Democrats run against DeGette in Denver congressional race

Democrats run against DeGette in Denver congressional race

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Voters in Colorado’s 1st Congressional District will consider tax policies and affordability concerns as they head to the polls on June 30. The district consists...
Minnesota special districts report $5.4B debt, federal aid declines

Minnesota special districts report $5.4B debt, federal aid declines

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Minnesota's special districts reported $5.4 billion in outstanding long-term debt in 2023, while increasingly relying on state funding as pandemic-era federal aid declined. This is...