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Chicago judge sentences crypto fraudster to 23 years in $20M scam

A mastermind behind one of the largest crypto frauds faces decades behind bars. Meanwhile, Illinois lawmakers crack down on student phone use in schools.

The image shows a poster with the words "President Biden's Chips and Science Act is Bringing Chip...
The image shows a poster with the words "President Biden's Chips and Science Act is Bringing Chip Production Back to America" written across the top, accompanied by images of buildings, cars, and trees.

Chicago judge sentences crypto fraudster to 23 years in $20M scam

The Illinois House has approved a bill banning students from using cell phones during the school day.

Senate Bill 2427 passed after a floor amendment was added on Thursday, with 102 votes in favor and only three opposed.

The measure now goes back to the Senate for concurrence.

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell 3 points in March to 95.8, below the 52-year average of 98.0.

The last time the index fell below its historical average was April 2025.

The NFIB Uncertainty Index rose 4 points to 92, well above its historical average of 68.

NFIB Illinois State Director Noah Finley said Illinois legislators must tamp down on proposals that would impose new costs and legal liabilities on Main Street businesses.

A federal judge in Chicago has sentenced a Houston, Texas man to 23 years in prison for orchestrating a cryptocurrency scam that bilked nearly 1,000 investors out of more than $20 million.

Robert Dunlap, 55, was also ordered to pay restitution to his victim investors. Prosecutors say Dunlap claimed the Meta-1 Coin was backed by billions of dollars in art and gold, and many victims lost all their savings.

Following reporting by The Center Square and testimony before a House committee this week, the Illinois Freedom Caucus is calling for the Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion to be abolished.

State Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, said in a statement that the commission is doing the opposite of what it was created to do, and the taxpayers have paid millions of dollars for failure.

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