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.
Today Jun 3
64°
Partly Cloudy
Latest News Stories
Illinois to regulate intoxicating hemp products, loosen up on cannabis
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Headed to the governor’s desk is legislation that will regulate and restrict some intoxicating hemp products and...
Nevada gubernatorial candidates clash over Trump’s policies
By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Nevada’s gubernatorial primaries are teasers to a competitive November election that is expected to be decided by narrow margins in the swing state. Gov. Joe...
Feds cut funding for Hawaii Medicaid fraud unit
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Federal officials decertified Hawaii's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit on Thursday, citing concerns over a lack of accountability in the program. Every state that administers Medicaid...
Two Democrats, two Republicans seek attorney general seat
By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Editor's note: This is part of a series previewing the congressional and statewide races in the Nevada primary election, set for June 9. The election...
Democrats condemn Minnesota GOP convention tribute to Derek Chauvin
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Republicans are facing backlash after delegates at the Minnesota Republican Party's state convention voted to hold a moment of silence for former Minneapolis police officer...
Questions loom after data center legislation stalls
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The speaker of the Illinois House says he thinks state lawmakers will eventually pass data center regulations,...
Feds charge 14 in Ohio fraud schemes, totaling $50M
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Federal prosecutors announced charges against 14 individuals in Ohio on allegations of fraud totaling as much as $50 million. Two state employees were included in...
U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of generic drug patents
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision on Thursday, ruled that a cardiovascular drugmaker did not violate America's patent laws. The ruling could allow...
Former HHS secretary tied to company that could benefit from CMS screening proposal
By Tom JoyceThe Center Square A proposed federal rule that would expand Medicare coverage for certain colorectal cancer screening tests could benefit a company whose board includes former U.S. Health...
Supreme Court rules against Verizon, AT&T over privacy penalties
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in an 8-1 decision on Thursday, ruled that the Federal Communication Commission did not need to involve a jury in multimillion...
Illinois quick hits: Stop child care scams act clears U.S. House, Illinois U.S. Reps introduce immigrant due process bill
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Stop child care scams act clears U.S. House The U.S. House of Representatives has passed Illinois Congresswoman Mary Miller’s legislation aimed...
Trump to tap Blanche as attorney general
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square After serving as acting attorney general for more than two months, President Donald Trump says he plans to nominate Todd Blanche as attorney general. Trump...
Trump signs executive orders on customs, federal workforce reforms
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square A year and a half and over 260 executive orders into his second term, President Donald Trump signed several more executive orders Wednesday, including one...
