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

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.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Will County P&Z Logo Planning Zoning.2

Commission Approves Massive Lake Michigan Water Infrastructure Project for Troy Township

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission on May 5, 2026, unanimously approved two major public utility...
Will County Board Graphic.02

Committee: Capital Improvements Committee Weighs $300 Million Options for Downtown Joliet Campus

Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryThe Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee is evaluating four multi-million-dollar proposals to replace aging...
Incumbents weather challenges in Nebraska primary

Incumbents weather challenges in Nebraska primary

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Voters in Nebraska elected incumbent candidates in races throughout the state on Tuesday. Incumbent U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts was nominated in the Republican primary, and...
US House passes Save Our Shrimpers Act

US House passes Save Our Shrimpers Act

By Nolan MckendryThe Center Square The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation aimed at stopping American taxpayer dollars from helping finance foreign shrimp operations that Gulf Coast lawmakers say...
CBO says Pentagon's Golden Dome estimate off by $1 trillion

CBO says Pentagon’s Golden Dome estimate off by $1 trillion

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said Tuesday that President Donald Trump's Golden Dome missile defense shield could cost American taxpayers as much as $1.2 trillion...
VA budget tops $488B as workforce stays above DOGE target

VA budget tops $488B as workforce stays above DOGE target

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Department of Veterans Affairs is requesting $488.2 billion for fiscal year 2027, a 7.7% increase over current spending levels, as VA Secretary Doug Collins...
DEA warns fentanyl mixtures overwhelming overdose reversal drug

DEA warns fentanyl mixtures overwhelming overdose reversal drug

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration warned Americans Tuesday that fentanyl is increasingly mixed with a dangerous array of synthetic substances that can limit the effectiveness...
Cook County must pay for taking homes over unpaid property tax: Judge

Cook County must pay for taking homes over unpaid property tax: Judge

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Cook County could be on the hook for at least tens of millions of dollars, if not more than $100 million, to...
Chicago aldermen consider $54.7M tax break for United Center project

Chicago aldermen consider $54.7M tax break for United Center project

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago City Council may consider a $54.7 million property tax break for owners of the Chicago...
Farmers call for fertilizer price transparency, domestic growth

Farmers call for fertilizer price transparency, domestic growth

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Farmers and advocates on Tuesday called on Congress to implement transparency reporting requirements in fertilizer pricing. The U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee held...
Major nationwide Tren de Aragua crackdown, more than 80 firearms seized

Major nationwide Tren de Aragua crackdown, more than 80 firearms seized

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Trump administration continues to crack down on violent Tren de Aragua Venezuelan prison gang members after they flooded the country during the Biden administration....
Illinois Quick Hits: State taxpayers to cover student loan debt for civil engineers

Illinois Quick Hits: State taxpayers to cover student loan debt for civil engineers

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that the state will pay $15,000 of eligible student loan...
Lincoln Way Central Softball Graphic

Bradley-Bourbonnais Blanks Lincoln-Way Central, 11-0

BRADLEY, IL – The Bradley-Bourbonnais varsity softball team dominated Monday’s conference matchup, cruising to an 11-0 shutout victory over Lincoln-Way Central. The Boilermakers’ offense was firing on all cylinders, racking up...
Lincoln Way Central Baseball Graphic

Lincoln-Way Central Tops Andrew in Conference Pitching Duel

NEW LENOX, IL – The Lincoln-Way Central varsity baseball team rode a dominant pitching performance and a pivotal fifth-inning rally to secure a 4-1 conference victory over Andrew on Monday. The...
Fitzpatrick, Houlahan, Kelly, Smucker back bipartisan immigration reform bill

Fitzpatrick, Houlahan, Kelly, Smucker back bipartisan immigration reform bill

By John ColeThe Center Square A bipartisan group of Pennsylvania lawmakers has signed on to an immigration reform proposal that is dividing House Republicans. U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-1st District;...