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

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

May 6, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(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

Lawmakers tussle over impacts of ‘equitable’ school funding in Illinois

Lawmakers tussle over impacts of ‘equitable’ school funding in Illinois

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The evidence-based funding formula for public schools in Illinois, signed into law in 2017, was under the...
Illinois Quick Hits: $42.6M UIS student library on schedule

Illinois Quick Hits: $42.6M UIS student library on schedule

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Capital Development Board says a $42.6 million state taxpayer-funded library project is on schedule at...
An 'arms race' for pay at elite, tax-exempt colleges

An ‘arms race’ for pay at elite, tax-exempt colleges

By Jared StrongThe Center Square Top private nonprofit universities that receive government funding pay some of their top leaders millions of dollars and one even received a $20 million longevity...
An 'arms race' for pay at elite, tax-exempt colleges

An ‘arms race’ for pay at elite, tax-exempt colleges

By Jared StrongThe Center Square Top private nonprofit universities that receive government funding pay some of their top leaders millions of dollars and one even received a $20 million longevity...
Inflation rises to 3.8%, driven by energy prices

Inflation rises to 3.8%, driven by energy prices

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Inflation increased 0.6% in April, with an overall rate of 3.8% over the last 12 months, according to new data from the U.S. Bureau of...
Inflation rises to 3.8%, driven by energy prices

Inflation rises to 3.8%, driven by energy prices

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Inflation increased 0.6% in April, with an overall rate of 3.8% over the last 12 months, according to new data from the U.S. Bureau of...
New congressional map expected for Alabama in wake of high court ruling

New congressional map expected for Alabama in wake of high court ruling

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Alabama could soon have a congressional map in place that would offer the chance for a Republican gain of seat in the U.S. House of...
New congressional map expected for Alabama in wake of high court ruling

New congressional map expected for Alabama in wake of high court ruling

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Alabama could soon have a congressional map in place that would offer the chance for a Republican gain of seat in the U.S. House of...
Will County Board Graphic.04

State Legislative Update: Housing Mandates, Mega Projects, and Data Centers Prompt Local Control Concerns

Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryState lobbyists from Mac Strategies briefed the Will County Board Legislative Committee on the final push of the spring...
Mastriano nominated to serve as Ambassador to Slovakia

Mastriano nominated to serve as Ambassador to Slovakia

By John ColeThe Center Square State Sen. Doug Mastriano, R-Chambersburg, has been nominated by President Donald Trump’s administration to serve as the United States Ambassador to Slovakia. “I am deeply...
Trump seeks rare suspension of the federal gas tax

Trump seeks rare suspension of the federal gas tax

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Monday he will move to suspend the federal gasoline tax as the national average price of a gallon remains above $4.50...
Trump seeks rare suspension of the federal gas tax

Trump seeks rare suspension of the federal gas tax

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Monday he will move to suspend the federal gasoline tax as the national average price of a gallon remains above $4.50...
Trump asks court to freeze tariff ruling amid import surge fears

Trump asks court to freeze tariff ruling amid import surge fears

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Trump administration asked the U.S. Court of International Trade on Monday to pause its ruling blocking the president's Section 122 tariffs, warning that even...
Data center regs proposed as $20 billion, 795-acre Joliet project advances

Data center regs proposed as $20 billion, 795-acre Joliet project advances

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Opponents of a planned $20 billion data center project in Joliet say big tech money arrived before...
Labor stats offer mixed bag for Illinoi]s

Labor stats offer mixed bag for Illinoi]s

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Trump administration says the United States saw smashing job growth in April, but Illinois’ story is...