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

Incumbents survive Indiana U.S. House challenges

Incumbents survive Indiana U.S. House challenges

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Incumbent U.S. House candidates from Indiana held on to party nominations Tuesday, despite intense pressure from challengers. District 4 Rep. Jim Baird survived a primary...
Incumbents survive Indiana U.S. House challenges

Incumbents survive Indiana U.S. House challenges

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Incumbent U.S. House candidates from Indiana held on to party nominations Tuesday, despite intense pressure from challengers. District 4 Rep. Jim Baird survived a primary...
Ohio voters pick candidates for November election

Ohio voters pick candidates for November election

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Ohio voters elected party representatives for governor, U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate on Tuesday. The election was the first since the Ohio legislature...
Ohio voters pick candidates for November election

Ohio voters pick candidates for November election

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Ohio voters elected party representatives for governor, U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate on Tuesday. The election was the first since the Ohio legislature...
'Project Freedom' paused while U.S., Iran try to negotiate a deal

‘Project Freedom’ paused while U.S., Iran try to negotiate a deal

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square More than a day after its implementation, “Project Freedom,” a U.S. operation to safely escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, has been put...
Colorado House votes for credit card fee reduction

Colorado House votes for credit card fee reduction

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Legislation to reduce credit card fees on purchases is a step closer to final passage in Colorado with proponents saying it will help small businesses...
Rubio confirms Epic Fury over; U.S. responding defensively in Strait of Hormuz

Rubio confirms Epic Fury over; U.S. responding defensively in Strait of Hormuz

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday afternoon that Operation Epic Fury was concluded – similar to what the president has said in his communications...
Department of Employment Security faces questions about fraud recoveries

Department of Employment Security faces questions about fraud recoveries

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security says his agency has changed its processes in...
Poll: Majority of voters dissatisfied with economy, prices

Poll: Majority of voters dissatisfied with economy, prices

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square More than half of Americans said they are at least somewhat dissatisfied with the overall economy, according to a new poll. The poll, conducted by...
Illinois Quick Hits: State rep says megaprojects bill usable for Chicago

Illinois Quick Hits: State rep says megaprojects bill usable for Chicago

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, says his megaprojects legislation is a directly usable tool for the city...
Tax hikes alone won't fully address US debt, report finds

Tax hikes alone won’t fully address US debt, report finds

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square No tax proposal before Congress would be sufficient on its own to put the federal debt on a sustainable long-term path, according to a new...
House GOP says Dems ignoring ‘realistic’ property tax relief plans

House GOP says Dems ignoring ‘realistic’ property tax relief plans

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the clock continues to tick toward the end of the legislative session in Springfield, Republican lawmakers...
Chicago mayor to push for local funding, keeping Bears

Chicago mayor to push for local funding, keeping Bears

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As he travels to Springfield to lobby for state funding of local governments, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson...
Doctors warn CMS proposal could weaken colorectal cancer screening standards

Doctors warn CMS proposal could weaken colorectal cancer screening standards

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square Doctors have voiced concerns about a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that would expand Medicare coverage for some colorectal cancer...
Senate Republicans unveil $72 billion budget package to fund ICE, CBP

Senate Republicans unveil $72 billion budget package to fund ICE, CBP

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Republicans are forging ahead with legislation to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and U.S. Border Patrol along party lines. The two Senate committees...