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

New Lenox Park District.2

Soccer Goal Safety and Infrastructure Agreements Highlight New Lenox Agenda

New Lenox Community Park District Meeting | December 17, 2025 Article Summary: The New Lenox Park Board is set to consider a new safety policy regarding soccer goals as well...

WATCH: Reclaiming the Panama Canal could be back on the table

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Taking back the Panama Canal is “sort of on the table,” President Donald Trump told The Center Square in response to a question regarding comments...
Las Vegas tourism industry continues to decline

Las Vegas tourism industry continues to decline

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Nevada’s tourism numbers took a hit throughout most of 2025, dropping nearly 7.4% from 2024. Data from the Las Vegas Convention Visitors Authority report showed...
More states now offer school choice programs for families

More states now offer school choice programs for families

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square School choice debates continue as more states opt into programs aimed at expanding educational options for families. National School Choice Week, scheduled for Jan. 25-31,...
Trump likely to make waves at biggest-ever World Economic Forum

Trump likely to make waves at biggest-ever World Economic Forum

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The largest-ever World Economic Forum braces to receive the largest-ever U.S. delegation, with President Donald Trump and others leaving Tuesday for Davos, Switzerland. Over 3,000...
Illinois House returns to session with plans for SAFE-T Act, Israel, taxes

Illinois House returns to session with plans for SAFE-T Act, Israel, taxes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Higher taxes, the SAFE-T Act and state policy regarding Israel may all be on the table as...
Illinois quick hits: Bovino bounty trial to begin; Judge sentences Kentucky man to 15 years in drugs case; Pritzker criticizes Trump's first year as Trump marks accomplishments

Illinois quick hits: Bovino bounty trial to begin; Judge sentences Kentucky man to 15 years in drugs case; Pritzker criticizes Trump’s first year as Trump marks accomplishments

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Bovino bounty trial to begin Jury selection is complete for the trial of a man accused of putting a bounty on...
IL AG reviews battles vs. Trump administration: '365 days of chaos'

IL AG reviews battles vs. Trump administration: ‘365 days of chaos’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says his office has endured 365 days of chaos with President Donald...
Largest U.S. band manufacturer plans to leave Ohio, send some production overseas

Largest U.S. band manufacturer plans to leave Ohio, send some production overseas

By David BeasleyThe Center Square While President Donald Trump continues to use tariffs to push for manufacturing to return to the United States, the largest manufacturer of band instruments in...
WATCH: Trump says he plans to send out $2,000 tariff checks without Congress

WATCH: Trump says he plans to send out $2,000 tariff checks without Congress

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he could bypass Congress to send $2,000 tariff rebate checks to some Americans. This directly contradicts his top economic...
House to vote on last four govt. funding bills costing $1.2 trillion

House to vote on last four govt. funding bills costing $1.2 trillion

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Ten days before the government funding deadline, congressional appropriators released the last four fiscal year 2026 spending bills for the U.S. House to vote on....
Illinois House speaker, unions push millionaire’s tax as lawmakers return

Illinois House speaker, unions push millionaire’s tax as lawmakers return

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois state representatives are scheduled to be back in Springfield this week, and there is bipartisan concern...
Reports: Walz, Frey, Ellison among those issued subpoenas by U.S. Justice

Reports: Walz, Frey, Ellison among those issued subpoenas by U.S. Justice

By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square High-ranking Minnesota elected officials on Tuesday were served subpoenas by the U.S. Department of Justice, according to multiple reports. Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith...
Supreme Court hears arguments in 'vampire rule' gun case

Supreme Court hears arguments in ‘vampire rule’ gun case

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday in a case over a Hawaii law that prohibits concealed carry permit holders from bringing guns on...
Trump slams 'stupid' UK decision to give back key military base

Trump slams ‘stupid’ UK decision to give back key military base

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump sharply criticized the United Kingdom's decision to hand over the Chagos Islands, the location of a strategic U.S. military base, to Mauritius....