August 26, 2025/

Illinois quick hits: Record hotel tax revenues reported; grocer sentenced for SNAP, WIC fraud

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Record hotel tax revenues reported

Illinois tourism numbers for 2024 saw an all-time high for hotel tax revenue.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Tourism announced the state welcomed 113 million domestic and international visitors who spent more than $48 billion.

Total hotel tax revenue came in at $367 million, a 14% increase from the previous year.

Grocer sentenced for SNAP, WIC fraud

The owner of a Chicago grocery store has been sentenced to three and a half years in federal prison for fraudulently redeeming millions of dollars in benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

Yousef Abu Alhawa, 50, of Lockport was also ordered to pay $8.9 million in restitution to the U.S. Treasury, the Internal Revenue Service, and the state of Illinois.

Alhawa pleaded guilty to wire fraud and tax charges last year.

Meth dealers sentenced

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois has announced sentences for eight methamphetamine dealers in Effingham County and indictments for three other individuals accused of drug distribution.

Prison sentences of those convicted range from 60 to 144 months.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois Quick Hits: AFP says tax breaks would be more at Soldier Field

Illinois Quick Hits: AFP says tax breaks would be more at Soldier Field

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Americans for Prosperity Illinois says megaprojects legislation that cleared the Illinois House could give a proposed development...
Soldier's insider trading case puts prediction markets to the test

Soldier’s insider trading case puts prediction markets to the test

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square An alleged attempt by a U.S. Army Special Forces soldier to profit from classified military intelligence on a prediction market platform has resulted in the...
U.S. will continue blockade 'as long as it takes,' Hegseth says

U.S. will continue blockade ‘as long as it takes,’ Hegseth says

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The United States will continue it's blockade in the Strait of Hormuz for "as long as it takes," War Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday....
Casey Council Meeting Graphic.2

Casey to Donate Surplus Tornado Siren to Village of Westfield

Casey City Council Meeting | April 20, 2026 Article Summary: The City of Casey will draft a formal resolution to donate a surplus, repairable tornado siren to the neighboring Village...
Gori seeks quick end to asbestos fraud, lawsuit ‘bounties' case

Gori seeks quick end to asbestos fraud, lawsuit ‘bounties’ case

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The Gori Law Firm, considered America’s most prolific filer of asbestos personal injury lawsuits, has pushed back on claims it engaged in...
Texas Ten Commandments law may reach Supreme Court

Texas Ten Commandments law may reach Supreme Court

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A federal appeals court ruling upholding a Texas law requiring Ten Commandments displays in public school classrooms is setting up a potential challenge before the...
Feds reopen probe into LAUSD race-based program

Feds reopen probe into LAUSD race-based program

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has reopened an investigation into the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Black Student Achievement Plan following...
Trump won't be rushed on Iran as clock ticking for the regime

Trump won’t be rushed on Iran as clock ticking for the regime

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Time is ticking for Iran, as President Donald Trump says he won’t be rushed into giving a timeline regarding the conflict and ceasefire with Iran....
Multiple House Republicans defy proposed 3-year FISA Section 702 extension

Multiple House Republicans defy proposed 3-year FISA Section 702 extension

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square After two attempts last week to reauthorize a controversial spy power of the federal government, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has unveiled the text of...
Fetterman wants SNAP to cover hot rotisserie chicken

Fetterman wants SNAP to cover hot rotisserie chicken

By John ColeThe Center Square U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., and three of his colleagues have introduced a bill that would allow beneficiaries in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or...
Advocates warn of looming debt crisis

Advocates warn of looming debt crisis

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Advocates warned on Thursday the U.S. economy is not growing fast enough to keep pace with the national debt. Ryan Clancy, chief strategist at No...
Bears want more after Illinois House passes megaproject tax incentive bill

Bears want more after Illinois House passes megaproject tax incentive bill

By Jon Styf | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois House of Representatives passed a megaproject bill that would set up the Chicago Bears for...
DHS wants millions more from taxpayers after federal SNAP changes

DHS wants millions more from taxpayers after federal SNAP changes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Human Services is seeking millions of extra dollars from state taxpayers due to...
Illinois Millionaires Tax doesn’t get support

Illinois Millionaires Tax doesn’t get support

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A proposed millionaires tax was shot down late Wednesday in the Illinois House of Representatives. Democrat leadership...
Pritzker bans insider trading by state employees, faces hypocrisy claims

Pritzker bans insider trading by state employees, faces hypocrisy claims

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – New rules for employees of the state of Illinois will prevent betting on the outcomes of current...