Illinois Quick Hits: Ex-Chicago housing director indicted in alleged kickback scheme

Illinois Quick Hits: Ex-Chicago housing director indicted in alleged kickback scheme

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – A former Chicago Housing Authority property director is accused of steering more than $4.8 million in city business to a construction company in exchange for more than $421,000 in kickbacks.

Ryan Ross, 50, of Bolingbrook and Vanessa Rhodes, 47, of Chicago are both charged with eight counts of honest services fraud.

A federal indictment accused Ross of receiving the kickbacks in 2023 and 2024 from Rhodes, who owns a Chicago company that did business as Twenty Eleven Construction, Inc.

ONE OF FBI’S MOST WANTED SENTENCED FOR MACHINE GUN POSSESSION

A Belleville man who was on the FBI’s Most Wanted list has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for possessing a machine gun.

Dontay Moore, 23, is facing state charges in St. Louis for other offenses, including his alleged involvement in a drive-by shooting that resulted in serious injuries to bystanders.

Prosecutors say his federal sentence will be in addition to any sentence imposed in state court. Moore was arrested by Illinois State Police in September 2025.

ICE-INVOLVED CRASH REPORTED IN CHICAGO

A pursuit reportedly involving federal immigration law enforcement officers ended in a crash on Chicago’s Northwest Side.

WGN-TV reports that the incident came to a halt around 11 a.m. on Tuesday in the 3800 block of North Olcott Avenue.

A witness said several unmarked vehicles followed a red Lexus and appeared to strike the Lexus before it crashed into a tree. Another witness said he later saw a man being escorted from the scene.

REPORT: THOUSANDS DROP OBAMACARE IN ILLINOIS

More than 92,000 Illinois consumers have lost or dropped Affordable Care Act health insurance in recent months.

The Chicago Tribune reports that the unusually large decline followed the expiration of tax credits that had helped to curb the plans’ costs.

Last month, Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee estimated that 120,825 people in Illinois would lose health insurance due to the ACA cuts proposed by President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans.

⚠️ Hydrologic Outlook issued June 16 at 2:44AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 15
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
72° 55°

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

💨 15 to 20 mph 💧 60%

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Feds charge Sinaloa governor, others with running drugs to US

Feds charge Sinaloa governor, others with running drugs to US

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Federal prosecutors on Wednesday unsealed charges against the sitting governor of Mexico's Sinaloa state and nine other current and former officials, alleging they took millions...
House passes three-year spy powers extension with crypto amendment

House passes three-year spy powers extension with crypto amendment

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. House of Representatives, in a 235-191 vote Wednesday, passed a measure to extend the spy powers of the federal government for another three...
U.S. gas prices at 4-year high as oil exports hit new record

U.S. gas prices at 4-year high as oil exports hit new record

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square United States gasoline prices pushed higher for the sixth consecutive day Wednesday, reaching $4.23 a gallon, as federal data released midmorning showed domestic inventories of...
Government leaders statewide call for cashless bail reform after CPD officer killed

Government leaders statewide call for cashless bail reform after CPD officer killed

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Critics on both sides of the aisle in Illinois government are calling for changes to the SAFE-T...
Coalition formed to fight railroad merger includes direct competitors

Coalition formed to fight railroad merger includes direct competitors

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square A coalition launched this week to oppose the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, as both sides ramp up arguments ahead of a...
Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker announces new IBM investment at Quantum Park

Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker announces new IBM investment at Quantum Park

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says IBM’s new delivery center at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, fueled by...
ISU's union says it cheaper to negotiate than paying

ISU’s union says it cheaper to negotiate than paying

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois State University support employees have entered their fourth week on strike this week as more state...
Iran conflict, refinery disruption play roles as Illinois gas price passes $4.50.

Iran conflict, refinery disruption play roles as Illinois gas price passes $4.50.

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gas prices have surged in Illinois, and an American Automobile Association spokesperson says several factors are to...
Rates hold steady ahead of Fed chair transition

Rates hold steady ahead of Fed chair transition

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The Federal Reserve wrapped up what could be its last meeting under current Chair Jerome Powell on Wednesday with a decision to hold rates steady,...
Supreme Court skeptical of Syria, Haiti temporary protected status

Supreme Court skeptical of Syria, Haiti temporary protected status

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court appeared skeptical of immigrant’s challenges to the Trump administration’s termination of temporary protected status in Haiti and Syria. Justices on the...
Whitmer announces 40 jobs in Adrian; Trump administration claims credit

Whitmer announces 40 jobs in Adrian; Trump administration claims credit

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square An announcement from Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday about a manufacturing expansion in Lenawee County quickly drew a response from the Trump administration over...
Pentagon seeks $1.5 trillion as Iran war costs hit $25 billion

Pentagon seeks $1.5 trillion as Iran war costs hit $25 billion

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Trump administration asked Congress on Wednesday to approve the largest military budget in American history, a $1.5 trillion request that would increase defense spending...
EXCLUSIVE: Minnesota sued over social media warning requirement

EXCLUSIVE: Minnesota sued over social media warning requirement

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square An internet trade group filed a lawsuit against Minnesota on Wednesday morning, challenging a new law requiring websites to display warnings about social media use....
Murrill: Seismic decision vindicates congressional redistricting

Murrill: Seismic decision vindicates congressional redistricting

By Nolan Mckendry and Misty CastileThe Center Square Federal courts overstepped when they required the state to draw a second majority-Black congressional district, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday in...
Supreme Court limits Voting Rights Act in Louisiana redistricting battle

Supreme Court limits Voting Rights Act in Louisiana redistricting battle

By Nolan MckendryThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s congressional map Wednesday, ruling that the state relied too heavily on race when it created a second majority-Black...