Illinois quick hits: Former Chicago schools dean sentenced for sexual assault

August 13, 2025/

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Former Chicago schools dean sentenced for sexual assault

A former Chicago public school dean has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for sexually assaulting a student over a two-year period.

CWB Chicago reports that Brian Crowder, 43, posed as the victim’s stepfather twice to sign consent forms for her to have abortions.

Prosecutors say Crowder began grooming the girl when he was dean of Greater Lawndale High School for Social Justice.

Tracy running for U.S. Senate

Former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy has announced that he is running for U.S. Senate in 2026.

Tracy released a statement Wednesday morning and said his top priority in Washington would be to lower costs for working families.

Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced in April that he would not seek reelection.

Small business optimism index

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 1.7 points in July to 100.3, slightly above the 52-year average of 98.

National Federation of Independent Business Illinois State Director Noah Finley said small business owners are feeling more optimistic after Congress made the Small Business Deduction permanent, but there is uncertainty in Illinois, where the General Assembly is considering additional tax hikes.

Latest News Stories

Trump’s ‘historic’ visit to China yields some economic, less geopolitical fruits

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump returned Friday from his first diplomatic visit to China since 2017, heralding the ‘historic’ nature of the trip. Former President Joe Biden...

GOP congressional candidate calls single-stream recycling a ‘sham’

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Republican congressional candidate Angel Oakley says much of the material Americans place in recycling bins ultimately...

Minnesota GOP calls for removal of Rep. Gomez after ‘sickening’ exchange

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Minnesota House Republican leaders are calling for the removal of Rep. Aisha Gomez after a verbal altercation with Rep. Elliott Engen on the House floor...

Census: Majority of fastest growing cities in U.S. are in Texas

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Eight of the 15 fastest growing cities in the U.S. were reported in Texas, according to newly released U.S. Census Bureau data. Fort Worth also...

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Public Works & Transportation Committee for May 5, 2026

Will County Board Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 The Will County Board Public Works & Transportation Committee addressed a diverse agenda during its May 5,...

Will County Legislative Committee: Pushes Forward with Ban on Cryptocurrency Kiosks

Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryThe Will County Legislative Committee approved a resolution supporting the drafting and enactment of a county-wide ordinance to ban...

Michigan House Republicans demand Benson release SPLC records

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Michigan House Republicans passed a resolution calling on Michigan Secretary of State and Democrat gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson to release records tied to her past...

Lone Tennessee U.S. House Democrat, Cohen, says he’s done

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Rep. Steve Cohen, Tennessee’s lone Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives, said Friday morning he will not seek reelection in the newly drawn 9th...

Illinois Quick Hits: Madigan: ‘Accept the federal scholarship tax credit’

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan – from federal prison over corruption charges – penned an op-ed...

Mayor Baldermann Urges Continued Citizen Pressure Against State “Mega Projects” and “Build” Legislation

Village of New Lenox Meeting | May 11, 2026 Article Summary: New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann utilized his mayoral report to rally residents against pending state legislation, warning that the "Build...

Will County Health Department Warns of Potential Federal Funding Cuts and Rising Healthcare Costs for FY2027

Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryThe Will County Health Department presented its preliminary FY2027 budget outlook to the Finance Committee, warning of a looming...

Highland Liquors Cleared for Video Gaming Expansion Following Zoning Approval

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, approved a Special Use Permit...

Lawmakers spar with Fairfax County leaders over sanctuary policies

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Lawmakers held another hearing on sanctuary policies Thursday, one of a series coinciding with President Donald Trump’s mass deportation efforts and a nationwide crackdown by...

Advocates call on tax reform to reduce national debt

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Advocates called on lawmakers to redesign the United States’ tax system on Thursday in order to address the rising national debt. The national debt surpassed...

Supreme Court allows mail-order abortion drugs

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that women can continue to access abortion drugs through the mail without making an in-person doctor's visit, while...

« Previous
1
…
16
17
18
19
20
…
173
Next »