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.

More Stories
Weather Full forecast →
Thu Jul 23
Partly Sunny
81° 62°

Partly Sunny

💨 0 to 5 mph 💧 8%
Data: National Weather Service • Updated Jul 23, 11:51 PM Full Forecast →
Site Sections

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Trump 'final dealmaker' on Saudi nuclear deal, Leavitt says

Trump ‘final dealmaker’ on Saudi nuclear deal, Leavitt says

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump is working on possible nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia that would stand for three decades and involve U.S. companies, White House Press...
Sherrill pressured to expand probe into New Jersey voting scandal

Sherrill pressured to expand probe into New Jersey voting scandal

By Chris WadeThe Center Square New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill is facing pressure from Republican legislative leaders and federal law enforcement officials to provide more details on how more than...
Appropriations committee examines policies to end government shutdowns

Appropriations committee examines policies to end government shutdowns

By Christine JohnsonThe Center Square With two recent government shutdowns in mind due to lack of appropriations, members of Congress are examining why government shutdowns occur and what role lawmakers...
Illinois quick hits: Toll hike hearings conclude Friday

Illinois quick hits: Toll hike hearings conclude Friday

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Toll hike hearings conclude Friday The last two public hearings on the Illinois Tollway Board’s proposed toll increases are scheduled on...
Administration presses law school accreditor over DEI policies

Administration presses law school accreditor over DEI policies

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square A U.S. House task force questioned the president of the American Bar Association in a hearing Wednesday about the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity and...
Chicago can force landlords to pay tenants $10K for ‘relocation assistance’

Chicago can force landlords to pay tenants $10K for ‘relocation assistance’

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square (Legal Newsline) - Nothing in the U.S. Constitution prevents the city of Chicago from forcing landlords who purchase apartment buildings out of...
Speaker’s response to staffer assault complaint draws questions on his own conduct

Speaker’s response to staffer assault complaint draws questions on his own conduct

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After reporting about a now-resigned state representative and allegations that Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch may...
Republicans' $95B budget resolution passes House

Republicans’ $95B budget resolution passes House

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Republicans’ blueprint for a third party-line bill passed the U.S. House on a slim two-vote margin Wednesday, despite grumblings from fiscal hawks over the bill’s...
$1.15T Pentagon funding authorization bill passes U.S. House

$1.15T Pentagon funding authorization bill passes U.S. House

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square A $1.15 trillion annual defense funding bill finally passed the U.S. House Wednesday after weeks of delay. Six Democrats joined all but seven Republicans in...
Lawmakers debate GLP-1 regulation, expansion

Lawmakers debate GLP-1 regulation, expansion

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Lawmakers pushed for more regulations and safety standards on popular weight loss medications, including GLP-1 prescriptions, at an event in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Rep....
Illinois news in brief: Ex-Big Ten Network staffer gets 2 years in embezzlement case

Illinois news in brief: Ex-Big Ten Network staffer gets 2 years in embezzlement case

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Ex-Big Ten Network staffer gets 2 years in embezzlement case A former Big Ten Network employee has been sentenced to 28...
New quantum tenant gets $1.8 million in tax credits

New quantum tenant gets $1.8 million in tax credits

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Another quantum technology company is coming to Illinois, and tax credits are part of the deal. Gov....
Proposal would term-limit Supreme Court justices without amendment

Proposal would term-limit Supreme Court justices without amendment

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Senate Democrats introduced legislation Wednesday to impose 18-year term limits on U.S. Supreme Court justices by statute, a route that would sidestep the constitutional amendment...
Pritzker says felon was unlucky to land in his back yard

Pritzker says felon was unlucky to land in his back yard

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says electronic monitoring of a suspect on pretrial release did not work in the...
Chicago council approves ballot question to recoup costs from ICE operations

Chicago council approves ballot question to recoup costs from ICE operations

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago City Council considered multiple ballot referendums during its regular meeting Wednesday morning, including some which...