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: Illinois prison mail scanning rule faces lawmaker scrutiny
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Emergency rules from the Illinois Department of Corrections to scan inmate mail are under review by...
Green Garden Township Confronts Massive 600-Megawatt Solar Project Proposal
Article Summary: A Virginia-based energy company is planning a 600-megawatt commercial solar facility that could cover over 5,000 acres of farmland across Green Garden, Wilton Center, and Manhattan Townships, sparking...
Green Garden Township Gets Green Light for New Town Hall Grant After Dramatic Reversal
Article Summary: After initially denying a request to transfer a $558,000 grant to a new building project, Will County has verbally reversed its decision, giving Green Garden Township the go-ahead...
Second Solar Farm with Battery Storage Proposed in Green Garden
Article Summary: A second, separate commercial solar project has been proposed in Green Garden Township by Turning Point Energy, adding to residents' growing concerns about farmland being converted for energy...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Green Garden Township Board for September 8, 2025
The Green Garden Township Board meeting on September 8 was dominated by major developments concerning two separate large-scale solar farm proposals and a dramatic, last-minute reversal on grant funding for...
JJC Moves Forward with Major Technology Overhaul to Modernize College Operations
Article Summary: The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees received a detailed update on a sweeping Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) project, a major initiative designed to modernize the college's core...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees for August 20, 2025
The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees focused on a major technological overhaul, celebrated milestones in student support, and addressed internal governance issues at its regular meeting on August 20,...
Tensions Flare as JJC Chairman Rebukes “Entitlement” After Trustee Lists Demands
Article Summary: Apparent tensions on the Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees surfaced during its meeting on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, when one trustee requested to be returned to "good...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Green Garden Township for August 25, 2025
The Green Garden Township Board held a workshop meeting on August 25, 2025, with the agenda dominated by a detailed presentation of a new draft Land Use Plan. The Plan...
DOJ urges federal judge to strike down climate change law
By Chris WadeThe Center Square The Trump administration is asking a federal judge to invalidate a New York law that seeks to punish fossil fuel companies for their alleged role...
WATCH: Newsom deploys state police to help local law enforcement
By Dave MasonThe Center Square New California Highway Patrol teams will work with local law enforcement to fight crime in Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area,...
Appeals court rejects Trump’s tariffs, but leaves them in place
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A federal appeals court said Friday that President Donald Trump doesn't have the authority to issue blanket tariffs, in a blow to the president's domestic...
Denver Public Schools accused of violating Title IX
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education for Civil Rights announced this week that Denver Public Schools' policies on “all-gender” facilities violate Title IX. The department's Office...
