Two indicted in COVID-19 fraud scheme
Two Illinois businessmen have been indicted on federal charges of allegedly obtaining more than $7.8 million in fraudulent small business loans associated with COVID-19 relief aid. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois announced the charges against the men from Palos Hills and Joliet. One man has pleaded not guilty. The other has yet to be arraigned.
Gas station owners charged in fraud scheme
The owners of three central Illinois gas stations have been charged with more than $4 million in tax fraud. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Roaul’s office announced the charges against a man from Peoria and two brothers from Indiana for underreporting more than $50 million in sales over several years.
Housing authority hands out millions for affordable housing
Around $19 million in taxpayer funds to support affordable housing and community revitalization efforts across the state has been approved by the Illinois Housing Development Authority. The agency announced the dollars to fund 68 units of local government and land banks for the acquisition, maintenance, rehabilitation and relocation of abandoned properties. The grant totals range from $41,000 to the city of Pittsfield to $712,000 to both Peoria and Chicago Heights.
