Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago police sergeant charged with COVID relief fraud

Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago police sergeant charged with COVID relief fraud

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – A Chicago police sergeant has been charged with fraudulently obtaining more than $41,000 in small business loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.

U.S. government attorneys say Brandi Wright, 44, applied for Paycheck Protection Program loans in 2021 on behalf of a bakery business she claimed to own but did not exist.

CWB: CTA HAMMER SUSPECT ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGED THREATS

A man who went viral in March when video circulated of him boarding a Chicago Transit Authority train and threatening people while wielding two hammers was detained last month after he allegedly threatened to kill a Cook County sheriff’s police officer on a train.

CWB Chicago reports that Eric Vinson, 51, of Bartlett, has been arrested at least 49 times since 2015, including twice since the video gained millions of views.

Vinson is charged with threatening a public official for the incident reported on April 19.

LEE COUNTY MAN ARRESTED FOR CHILD PORN DISSEMINATION

A Lee County man has been arrested for dissemination of child pornography. Illinois State Police say they began investigating after they received a cyber tip in January 2026.

ISP special agents arrested Cameron J. Riley, 37, of Amboy, Illinois on Tuesday.

Anonymous tips of child sexual abuse materials can be reported through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTip line.

ILLINOIS PRODUCT FARMERS MARKET OPENS ON THURSDAY

The Illinois Product Farmers Market is scheduled to open for its 19th season Thursday from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. at The Shed on the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture says it will match every dollar spent in Link cash assistance and food benefit cards at the market.

The Illinois Product Farmers Market will be held every Thursday through Sept. 24, excluding Aug. 13, 20, and 27.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

IL House Speaker: 'not even close' to school choice legislation

IL House Speaker: ‘not even close’ to school choice legislation

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The speaker of the Illinois House says he would put school choice legislation up for a vote...
IL comptroller: Chicago mayor’s policies chase businesses away

IL comptroller: Chicago mayor’s policies chase businesses away

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza says Chicago is chasing job creators away with crippling policies. Citadel moved 900...
Menards settles deceptive 11% rebate lawsuit for $4.25M with 10 states

Menards settles deceptive 11% rebate lawsuit for $4.25M with 10 states

By Jon Styf | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Wisconsin-based Menards has agreed to pay a combined $4.25 million to settle a lawsuit from 10 states...
(c)Eric Pancer

Pace Expands I-55 Service and Launches ‘VanGo’ in Joliet

Will County Committee of the Whole Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: Pace officials highlighted service expansions in Will County, including the recent launch of the "VanGo" reservation-based van service...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Beecher Board of Education Curriculum Committee for Dec. 2025

Beecher Board of Education Curriculum Committee Meeting | Dec. 2025 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Beecher Board of Education Curriculum Committee met on Thursday, December 4, 2025, to review the district's curriculum...
Beecher Graphic.3

Board Updates Grocery Tax Ordinance per State Request

Village of Beecher Board Meeting | Dec. 8, 2025 Article Summary: To comply with requirements from the Illinois Department of Revenue, the Beecher Village Board amended its Municipal Grocery Retailers'...
Will County Board Graphic.01

Will County Executive Committee Rejects School Choice Advisory Referendum

Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | December 11, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board Executive Committee voted against advancing a resolution that would have placed an advisory referendum...
washington township graphic.1

Township Freezes Town Levy, Road District Seeks Increase for Fleet Updates

Washington Township Board of Trustees Meeting | Nov. 2025 Article Summary: The Washington Township Board of Trustees approved a plan to keep the 2025 Town Levy flat by reallocating funds...
Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.2

‘Welcome Move’: 815 Mulch-It Granted More Time to Relocate in Homer Glen

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee granted a second extension to a landscape and lawn...
beecher ilinois school board graphic.5

Principal Addresses “High” Ability Grouping Label and Placement Concerns

Beecher Board of Education Curriculum Committee Meeting | Dec. 2025 Article Summary: Beecher elementary administrators addressed parental concerns regarding a "5H" label appearing in PowerSchool, clarifying that it indicated a...

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Public Works & Transportation Committee for December 2, 2025

Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | December 2, 2025 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Will County Board Public Works and Transportation Committee met on December 2, 2025, to address infrastructure contracts,...
Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.2

Land Use & Development Committee forwards Women’s Residential Recovery Center

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee unanimously recommended approval for a new women-specific residential rehabilitation...
Beecher Graphic.1

Village Secures Three-Year Fireworks Agreement

Village of Beecher Board Meeting | Dec. 8, 2025 Article Summary: The Village of Beecher has secured its Fourth of July fireworks displays through 2028 after approving a multi-year contract...
WCO Committee of the Whole

Will County Board Members Question Fairness of New Transit Tax Structure

Will County Committee of the Whole Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: Will County Board members expressed concerns regarding the funding mechanisms and governance structure of the incoming Northern Illinois...
Washington Township Graphic.3

Washington Township Board Opposes New Solar Farm Proposals

Washington Township Board of Trustees Meeting | Nov. 2025 Article Summary: The Washington Township Board of Trustees on Monday formally voiced its opposition to two proposed solar farm projects located...