Illinois Quick Hits: Cook County announces $20M in CVI spending

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has announced $20 million of taxpayer funding for community violence intervention.

Preckwinkle said the county has spent $110 million on CVI services over the last four years. Preckwinkle made the announcement at St. Sabina Church in Chicago on Wednesday.

SUBURBAN OFFICER SENTENCED FOR CORRUPTION

A former suburban police officer has been sentenced to five years and three months in federal prison for conspiring to steal cash and drugs during traffic stops.

Prosecutors said Antoine Larry, 50, of Bolingbrook was working for the Phoenix, Illinois police department when he conspired with another officer to corruptly solicit cash and drugs from vehicle occupants.

The other officer, Jarrett Snowden of Lansing, Illinois pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge before trial.

MAN CONVICTED OF MANUFACTURING, POSSESSING UNREGISTERED WEAPONS

A federal jury has convicted a former Harrisburg man for manufacturing and possessing unregistered short-barreled rifles and possessing unregistered silencers.

Yaroslav Vishnevski, 33, was charged in May 2024 after U.S. Customs and Border Protection intercepted a package from China containing unregistered silencers addressed to his residence.

Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 24 at the Benton courthouse.

CHICAGOLAND CHAMBER LAUNCHES PRO-GROWTH PLATFORM

The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce has launched the Grow Chicago initiative to support the success of local businesses and boost economic development.

According to the chamber’s 2025 Chicagoland Small Business Outlook Survey, conducted in partnership with the University of Illinois Chicago College of Business, 70% of respondents said they expected the local economy to get worse in the coming year, a dramatic increase from 43% the year before.