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: State police prepares ICE protest zones; energy policy debate continues
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 the latest...
DHS blames ‘sanctuary’ politicians for ICE violence
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that two vehicles were used as weapons against Immigration and...
Illinois news in brief: Department of Transportation reviews CTA spending plans; Illinois manufacturers kick off ‘Makers on the Move’ tour; Hearings continue on energy legislation
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square Department of Transportation reviews CTA spending plans The U.S. Department of Transportation issued an interim final rule barring race- and sex-based...
Peotone Schools to Tackle $372,000 in Unpaid Fees with New Plan
207U Committee of the Whole Meeting 9/22/2025 Article Summary: Peotone School District 207U is implementing a new two-pronged strategy to collect approximately $372,000 in outstanding student fees, some dating back...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board for September 18, 2025
The Will County Board navigated a contentious meeting on September 18, 2025, marked by narrow votes on two highly debated land use issues in Crete and Homer Glen. The board...
Illinois quick hits: Transit cliff revision criticized; Pike County shooting investigation
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Transit cliff revision criticized With the transit fiscal cliff expected to be revised to approximately $300 million, labor and environmental groups...
Pritzker open to spending on Bears infrastructure, concerns remain about debt
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he is open to state funding of infrastructure for a proposed Chicago Bears...
IL legislators weigh energy policy some say will increase costs
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois’ energy landscape continues to evolve as the state works to usher in industries that draw a...
Analyst points to inefficiencies as Pritzker touts record spending on infrastructure
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the biggest infrastructure spending plan in state history, a transportation policy director...
Illinois quick hits: DHS announces more than 800 illegals arrested; utility prices drop slightly
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Midway Blitz announces 800 illegals arrested According to the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Border...
WATCH: Officials shift shutdown blame; agreed-bill process upended; GOP offers solutions
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...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education for September 18, 2025
The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education on Thursday, September 18, 2025, formally adopted a $172.7 million budget for the 2025-2026 school year. The budget includes a...
States sue feds over denying grants for illegal immigrants
By Dave Mason | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Democratic attorneys general from 21 jurisdictions sued the Trump administration Wednesday for denying federal funds to help...
Pritzker blames Trump for partial government shutdown
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says President Donald Trump is to blame for the U.S. government’s partial shutdown,...
Illinois quick hits: Record infrastructure spending planned; watchdog urges ratepayers review Ameren bills
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Record infrastructure spending planned Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation joined state, local and organized labor officials to...