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 12
86° 62°
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Beecher Denies RV Parking Permit Over Precedent Concerns, Approves Fence Variance
Article Summary: The Beecher Village Board denied a special use permit for parking a recreational vehicle in a residential driveway, citing concerns about setting a difficult precedent for future requests....
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Village of Beecher Board of Trustees for July 28, 2025
The Beecher Village Board passed a crucial financial ordinance and addressed a wave of resident complaints about new home construction during its meeting on July 28. Trustees unanimously approved a...
Peotone Schools to Launch “Go Big Blue” Unity Initiative
Peotone School District 207-U will rally under a new theme, “Go Big Blue,” for the 2025-26 school year in a comprehensive initiative aimed at unifying the district around common character...
Peotone FFA Alumni Propose Privately Funded Greenhouse to Expand Program
The Peotone High School agriculture program could see a major expansion after the Peotone FFA Alumni and Friends group presented a proposal to the Board of Education to privately fund...
Will County Committee Forwards Overhauled Purchasing Code Amid Debate on Local Contractor Preference
The Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee advanced a major overhaul of the county's purchasing code Tuesday, but only after a split vote and a pointed debate over a separate,...
Finance Officials Clarify How Will County Tracks Assets, From Vehicles to Desks
Will County finance officials on Tuesday detailed the policies governing how the county tracks its physical and digital assets, explaining the $5,000 threshold for items that are formally capitalized and...
Will County Treasurer Confirms Free Online Tax Payment Option, Warns Against High Credit Card Fees
Will County Treasurer Tim Brophy confirmed Tuesday that property owners have a free online payment option available and advised residents to avoid the high convenience fees associated with using credit...
Committee Highlights ‘Lack of Teeth’ in County Code Enforcement Process
While the Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee quickly approved minor updates to its administrative adjudication ordinance Tuesday, the action sparked a broader discussion about resident frustration over the enforcement...
Meeting Briefs: Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee for July 22, 2025
AI Policy Discussion Urged: Chair Jackie Triner called for the county to develop a comprehensive policy on the use of Artificial Intelligence. Citing a recent conference, Triner noted the potential benefits...
Crete Township Wins Approval for New Digital Sign at Community Center
Crete Township received approval from the Will County Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday for a new digital sign at its community center, a project that required a special use...
Will County Planners OK Oversized Garage Near Naperville, Overriding Staff Recommendation
The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday approved variances for a new oversized accessory garage in Wheatland Township, siding with a homeowner and builder over a staff recommendation...
Green Garden Landscaping Business Gains Permit Amid Strong Neighbor Support
A small landscaping and lawn maintenance business operating on a residential property in Green Garden Township received official approval Tuesday after neighbors voiced overwhelming support for the operation. The Will...
Meeting Briefs: Will County Planning and Zoning Commission for July 15, 2025
Frankfort Shed Relocation Approved: A homeowner on West Harvest Drive in Frankfort Township received a variance to reduce an east side-yard setback from 10 to 4 feet. The variance, sought by...
Beecher Overhauls Village Governance, Dissolves Key Commissions in Code Update
Article Summary: The Village of Beecher has fundamentally restructured its governmental framework, approving a pair of ordinances that redefine the roles of trustees, resize the Police Commission, and formally dissolve...
