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

Civil rights complaints filed over race-based healthcare scholarships

Civil rights complaints filed over race-based healthcare scholarships

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A nonprofit advocacy group has filed federal civil rights complaints against two healthcare systems, alleging their scholarship programs unlawfully exclude applicants based on race. Do...
Candidates clamor for Carter's open seat

Candidates clamor for Carter’s open seat

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter's decision to run for U.S. Senate has attracted 14 candidates for his 1st Congressional District post. Carter, a Republican, has served...
Illinois Quick Hits: Civic federation funds 'persistent structural imbalance' in Illinois

Illinois Quick Hits: Civic federation funds ‘persistent structural imbalance’ in Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new Civic Federation report has identified a persistent structural imbalance in the Illinois budget, with expenditures...
Will County Board Graphic.01

Millions Approved for Will County Highway and Road Infrastructure Projects

Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board authorized nearly $4.3 million in road improvement contracts, targeting key corridors including Francis Road, Renwick Road,...
U.S. House OKs Fetterman bill allowing SNAP to cover hot rotisserie chicken

U.S. House OKs Fetterman bill allowing SNAP to cover hot rotisserie chicken

By John ColeThe Center Square A bill that would allow recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, to buy hot rotisserie chicken is one step closer to becoming...
Gas hits $6 a gallon in California; Southwest see increases

Gas hits $6 a gallon in California; Southwest see increases

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square California Thursday officially exceeded an average gas price of $6 a gallon for the first time since the start of the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran....
Teacher unions spent over $1B on political causes since 2015

Teacher unions spent over $1B on political causes since 2015

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square National teachers unions have spent over $1 billion on political activity and advocacy since 2015, according to a new report by Defending Education. Both reports,...
Illinoisans may soon need registration, title, license to use e-bikes, scooters

Illinoisans may soon need registration, title, license to use e-bikes, scooters

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinoisans may soon be required to register their e-bikes, motorized scooters and other various modes of transport...
Executive order creates website for retirement accounts, matching federal contributions

Executive order creates website for retirement accounts, matching federal contributions

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday aiming to expand access to “high-quality” retirement accounts to all Americans. The administration will launch a website...
Congress extends govt. surveillance powers for 45 days

Congress extends govt. surveillance powers for 45 days

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. House has adopted a short-term extension of FISA Section 702, buying lawmakers more time to hammer out reforms to the controversial federal surveillance...
Report: 10% credit card cap could cut off 64 million Americans, risk recession

Report: 10% credit card cap could cut off 64 million Americans, risk recession

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square A proposed federal cap on credit card interest rates could drastically reduce Americans' access to credit and hurt the U.S. economy, a new report warns....
Pritzker’s commission report pushes for local investigations of federal 'brutality'

Pritzker’s commission report pushes for local investigations of federal ‘brutality’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Illinois Accountability Commission has released its report on alleged abuses by federal immigration law...

WATCH: Trump ‘probably’ considering pulling U.S. troops out of Italy, Spain

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Thursday said he is considering removing U.S. military troops from Italy and Spain, due to the country's lack of assistance during...
Illinois mulls change allowing pension investment in anti-Israel companies

Illinois mulls change allowing pension investment in anti-Israel companies

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Multiple speakers shared personal stories Thursday from the conflict between Israeli forces and Palestinians in an effort...
Gun rights advocate questions Illinois ballistic imaging plan

Gun rights advocate questions Illinois ballistic imaging plan

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A newly introduced measure in the Illinois General Assembly aimed at expanding ballistic imaging technology is...