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 Jul 20
84° 61°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Millions celebrate America 250, Sail250 events in key ports
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Millions of Americans celebrated America 250, Sail250 events in key ports, boarding scores of ships that sailed thousands of nautical miles to celebrate the 250th...
Chicago delays vote on parking meter sale, risks litigation
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A long-awaited vote from the Chicago City Council to move forward with approving the sale of the...
Hegseth’s ‘High-T’ troop screening mandate comes without cost estimate
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Department of War is mandating annual testosterone screening for every active-duty and reserve service member age 30 and older, a mandate affecting about 2...
Congressional candidates tackle housing, immigration
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Immigration and housing policies will be at the top of voters’ minds in Arizona’s 6th and 9th congressional districts, races that could determine control of...
Senators to examine hospital price transparency legislation
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers is set to examine a bill next week to require hospitals and insurance companies to display prices for provided services....
Transit bill sponsor ok with recycled board appointments
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Although recent appointees to the new Northern Illinois Transit Authority already hold seats on current transit boards...
U.S. adds 3.5M businesses despite shaky economy
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The United States added nearly 3.5 million new businesses in the first half of 2026, breaking previous expectations, according to a new report. Registered Agents...
Walmart targeted with lawsuit over customer service line voice recordings
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square (Legal Newsline) — Walmart has been tagged yet again in a class action lawsuit brought under Illinois' biometrics privacy law, this time...
Utility company pays $314 million to Eaton Fire victims
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Southern California Edison, which has been sued for allegedly starting the devastating Eaton Fire, has offered more than $750 million as compensation for victims. Of...
Lawsuits seek to shred Taylor Farms over ‘explosive diarrhea’ outbreak
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square (Legal Newsline) - Lawsuits have begun to land in courts across the country over the recent outbreak of "explosive diarrhea"-inducing bacterial contamination,...
Illinois quick hits: Collinsville man pleads guilty to sex abuse of children
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square DCFS honors scholarship recipients The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services honored 317 youth in care with a scholarship luncheon...
Judge plans to rule next week on Paramount, Warner Bros.
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square A federal judge plans to decide by Wednesday whether to grant a temporary restraining order in a case that pits state attorneys general against Warner...
Aldermen say mayor fails to collect revenue he opposes
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square )The Center Square) – Chicago aldermen are suggesting that the city has a projected budget gap of $130 million because Mayor...
