Illinois quick hits: Foreign national indicted for fraud; Chicago Public Schools budget approved
August 29, 2025/
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.
Latest News Stories
WATCH: Pritzker tells Trump ‘come and get me;’ SCOTUS hears ballot counting case
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 shares reaction to...
Peotone School Board Rejects New Assistant Athletic Supervisor Positions Amid Budget Woes
207U School Regular Board Meeting September 22, 2025 Article Summary: The Peotone Board of Education voted down proposals to create and fund new Seasonal Assistant Athletic Director Supervisor positions, citing...
WATCH: Trump admin singles out Chicago, Pritzker during Antifa roundtable
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With arguments set Thursday in the state of Illinois’ case challenging President Donald Trump’s use of the...
Peotone School Board Rejects Budget Amid Financial Crisis, Scrambles for Cuts
207U School Regular Board Meeting September 22, 2025 Article Summary: The Peotone Board of Education rejected the district's proposed 2025-2026 budget, which projected a $4.2 million deficit, forcing an emergency...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Peotone Board of Education Committee for September 22, 2025
207U Committee of the Whole Meeting 9/22/2025 The Peotone Board of Education Committee met on Monday, September 22, 2025, under the shadow of a significant financial crisis after the district’s...
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...
Peace on the line two years after Oct. 7 attacks
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Tuesday marks the second anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack; the impact of that day continues to be felt worldwide. Israel has...
U.S. Supreme Court looks to start consequential new term
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court will hear the first oral arguments of its new term on Monday, with several high-profile cases already on the docket. The...
U of I scrutinized over perceived preference for international students
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The University of Illinois faces scrutiny over its Spring 2026 Master’s in Accounting program, with the...
District Launches ‘Peotone PRIDE’ Engagement Meetings to Boost Community Communication
207U Committee of the Whole Meeting 9/22/2025 Article Summary: The Peotone school district administration is launching a new community outreach initiative called "Peotone PRIDE," a series of monthly meetings designed...
Youngkin, Johnsion calll for AG candidate to withdraw after violent texts emerge
By Dan McCalebThe Center Square Gov. Glenn Youngkin and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson are calling on Virginia attorney general candidate Jay Jones to exit the race after it was...
ICE agents shoot armed woman in suburban Chicago during attack
By Dan McCaleb | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Border Patrol agents near Chicago shot an armed woman Saturday who was part of a group of...
