Illinois quick hits: Record hotel tax revenues reported; grocer sentenced for SNAP, WIC fraud

Illinois quick hits: Record hotel tax revenues reported; grocer sentenced for SNAP, WIC fraud

August 26, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Record hotel tax revenues reported

Illinois tourism numbers for 2024 saw an all-time high for hotel tax revenue.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Tourism announced the state welcomed 113 million domestic and international visitors who spent more than $48 billion.

Total hotel tax revenue came in at $367 million, a 14% increase from the previous year.

Grocer sentenced for SNAP, WIC fraud

The owner of a Chicago grocery store has been sentenced to three and a half years in federal prison for fraudulently redeeming millions of dollars in benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

Yousef Abu Alhawa, 50, of Lockport was also ordered to pay $8.9 million in restitution to the U.S. Treasury, the Internal Revenue Service, and the state of Illinois.

Alhawa pleaded guilty to wire fraud and tax charges last year.

Meth dealers sentenced

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois has announced sentences for eight methamphetamine dealers in Effingham County and indictments for three other individuals accused of drug distribution.

Prison sentences of those convicted range from 60 to 144 months.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois Quick Hits: State police investigating 2025 fatal ICE-involved shooting

Illinois Quick Hits: State police investigating 2025 fatal ICE-involved shooting

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois State Police have begun investigating the fatal shooting of Silverio Villegas Gonzalez last September by a...
Data shows more violent retail thefts, lost sales tax revenue.

Data shows more violent retail thefts, lost sales tax revenue.

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – New data shows that violent retail crime is on the rise, and taxpayers can be counted among...
Arizona GOP considers suing to redraw congressional map

Arizona GOP considers suing to redraw congressional map

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square The Republican majority in the Arizona Legislature is contemplating legal options to redraw the state’s congressional map in time for the 2028 elections. Senate President...
Pro-life org releases updated pregnancy resource confirming life begins at conception

Pro-life org releases updated pregnancy resource confirming life begins at conception

By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square In time for Mother’s Day, the Charlotte Lozier Institute on Thursday released an updated version of its Voyage of Life pregnancy resource that is packed...
Illinois Quick Hits: Congressman's aide indicted on fraud allegations

Illinois Quick Hits: Congressman’s aide indicted on fraud allegations

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Rep. Danny Davis’ deputy director has been indicted on federal fraud charges. Prosecutors say Gerard C....
Social Security’s trust funds: asset, accounting tool or debt?

Social Security’s trust funds: asset, accounting tool or debt?

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square While many policy experts agree Social Security faces long-term financing challenges, they often disagree on a core part of the program’s funding, as discussed by...
Fitzpatrick says pro-union bill dealing with contracts will pass U.S. House

Fitzpatrick says pro-union bill dealing with contracts will pass U.S. House

By John ColeThe Center Square During a speech to the Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters Convention in Hershey last week, U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-1st District, guaranteed its members that a...
Feds investigate LA schools for sexual misconduct allegations

Feds investigate LA schools for sexual misconduct allegations

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education has opened a Title IX investigation into the Los Angeles Unified School District over sexual misconduct allegations. The department contends...
Advocates criticize bipartisan housing bill

Advocates criticize bipartisan housing bill

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Advocates warned the U.S. Senate’s bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act could create affordability concerns, and reduce competition in the marketplace. In March, the U.S. Senate...
Johnson, municipal leaders statewide clash with Pritzker over local funding cuts

Johnson, municipal leaders statewide clash with Pritzker over local funding cuts

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Mayors and municipalities across Illinois have called on Gov. JB Pritzker to reverse course on local government...

WATCH: Report: Washington high schools rank near bottom in personal finance literacy

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square A new report finds Washington state ranks near the bottom in the nation when it comes to financial literacy education for high school students. WalletHub...
Citizen Voting Amendment may avoid partisan SAVE Act pitfalls

Citizen Voting Amendment may avoid partisan SAVE Act pitfalls

By Chris Dickerson | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Despite public support and majorities in both houses, Republicans have been unable to pass the SAVE Act because of Democratic objections in...
Democrats 'Red to Blue' targets 18 seats in 12 states in November

Democrats ‘Red to Blue’ targets 18 seats in 12 states in November

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is targeting multiple seats in Congress to take back the Democratic majority in November. Its “2026 Red to Blue”...
Illinois bill would force employers to pay employees regular wages for jury duty

Illinois bill would force employers to pay employees regular wages for jury duty

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Senate is considering legislation that would force employers to pay employees regular wages while they...
VA suicide screening doubles after watchdog found mass failures

VA suicide screening doubles after watchdog found mass failures

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has improved suicide risk screening and follow-up care among veterans in its system after a December 2024 federal watchdog...