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

Complaint filed against AMA Foundation for racially discriminatory scholarships

Complaint filed against AMA Foundation for racially discriminatory scholarships

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Medical group Do No Harm filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) against the American Medical Association Foundation, questioning whether the organization should...
Democrats vow to hold Bondi in contempt for refusing Epstein deposition

Democrats vow to hold Bondi in contempt for refusing Epstein deposition

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Former Attorney General Pam Bondi is refusing to appear before the House Oversight Committee for her scheduled deposition April 14, an announcement that garnered a...
Commonwealth LNG signs supply deals with five major buyers

Commonwealth LNG signs supply deals with five major buyers

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square The owners of the proposed Commonwealth LNG export facility in Louisiana announced supply deals with five major buyers as the company crossed a key threshold...
Lawmakers hear debate over data centers including revenue, headaches

Lawmakers hear debate over data centers including revenue, headaches

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With more than 100 new data center projects moving forward across Illinois in recent years, and thousands...
Illinois quick hits: Madigan corruption appeal to begin Thursday; Attorney General asks lawmakers for additional $15 million;

Illinois quick hits: Madigan corruption appeal to begin Thursday; Attorney General asks lawmakers for additional $15 million;

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Madigan corruption appeal to begin Thursday Oral arguments are scheduled to begin Thursday afternoon in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s...
Deficit watchdog urges Congress to cut more, spend less than Trump's budget request

Deficit watchdog urges Congress to cut more, spend less than Trump’s budget request

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As congressional Republicans begin considering how to implement President Donald Trump’s budget request into next year’s government funding bills, fiscal responsibility groups are urging them...
Lawmaker pushes sales tax pause on gas as questions cloud 'fragile' ceasefire

Lawmaker pushes sales tax pause on gas as questions cloud ‘fragile’ ceasefire

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With the average Illinois gas price about $1.40 per gallon higher on Wednesday than it was in...
Groups warn Middle East truce may not ease economic fallout

Groups warn Middle East truce may not ease economic fallout

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group are closely watching the tentative truce between the U.S. and Iran in the Middle East, but...
National ratings outlet says Pennsylvania has most ‘toss up’ midterm races

National ratings outlet says Pennsylvania has most ‘toss up’ midterm races

By John ColeThe Center Square The 2026 midterm elections are just under seven months away and the races for the U.S. House are beginning to heat up. With control of...
Regulator: LNG expansion likely to affect rare marsh bird

Regulator: LNG expansion likely to affect rare marsh bird

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square A proposed expansion of the Sabine Pass liquefied natural gas export facility in Louisiana could threaten the federally protected eastern black rail, a marsh bird,...
Court showdown over Trump's tariffs could reshape U.S. trade policy

Court showdown over Trump’s tariffs could reshape U.S. trade policy

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A ruling from a small federal trade court in New York could reshape global trade, as it decides the legality of President Donald Trump's latest...
PSA urges consumers to think ‘Before You Call That Lawyer’

PSA urges consumers to think ‘Before You Call That Lawyer’

By Chris Dickerson | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A national education campaign is urging consumers to gather critical information before hiring a personal injury attorney. Protecting American Consumers Together, or...
Vance to lead talks in Iran on Saturday

Vance to lead talks in Iran on Saturday

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Vice President JD Vance will lead talks with Iranian leaders in Islamabad on Saturday. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Vance will be...
Rep questions state ed board’s higher budget request, proficiency standards

Rep questions state ed board’s higher budget request, proficiency standards

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois State Board of Education wants more taxpayer funding to address inequity and boost public school...
Illinois reps move bill to give remedy to young victims of hidden cameras

Illinois reps move bill to give remedy to young victims of hidden cameras

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Lawmakers advanced a proposal aimed at giving Illinois families new legal recourse when minors are secretly recorded...