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.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois Quick Hits: Vacant lots go on sale in Chicago

Illinois Quick Hits: Vacant lots go on sale in Chicago

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Planning and Development say more than 600 vacant city...
State vs. local property tax debate rages in Illinois

State vs. local property tax debate rages in Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says property taxes are a local issue, but a county treasurer’s report says hefty...
Illinois Quick Hits: County study reflects massive property tax hikes

Illinois Quick Hits: County study reflects massive property tax hikes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – According to a study by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, property taxes in the county increased at...
Fewer businesses of Illinois' diversity-preferred group got state contracts last year

Fewer businesses of Illinois’ diversity-preferred group got state contracts last year

By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) - Fewer businesses that get diversity-related government priority in Illinois are getting contracts with the state, according to...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Casey-Westfield Uses Five-Run Fifth Inning to Defeat Cumberland 7-3

The Casey-Westfield varsity softball team picked up a 7-3 non-conference road victory over Cumberland on Monday afternoon, breaking open a tight contest with a massive five-run surge in the fifth...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Casey-Westfield Takes Advantage of Late Errors to Defeat Cumberland 7-3

The Casey-Westfield varsity softball team utilized a massive five-run fifth inning and capitalized on defensive miscues to defeat Cumberland 7-3 in a home non-conference matchup on Monday. The game began...
Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Casey-Westfield Capitalizes on Miscues to Defeat Oblong/Hutsonville/Palestine 7-3

The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team protected its home turf at Jerald Barr Field on Monday afternoon, securing a solid 7-3 non-conference victory over the Oblong/Hutsonville/Palestine (OHP) co-op. By combining steady,...
Martinsville School Graphic.2

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Martinsville C.U.S.D. #C-3 Board of Education for February 23, 2026

Martinsville C.U.S.D. #C-3 Board of Education Meeting | February 23, 2026 The Martinsville Community Unit School District #C-3 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, February 23, 2026....
Some blame taxes as Illinois grows on paper but loses residents

Some blame taxes as Illinois grows on paper but loses residents

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois' population has continued to narrowly grow this year, despite a significant number of cities in the...
Illinois quick hits: Cannabis company sued for alleged sexual harassment; Reparations class action suit to proceed; Disaster declaration approved for August 2025 storms

Illinois quick hits: Cannabis company sued for alleged sexual harassment; Reparations class action suit to proceed; Disaster declaration approved for August 2025 storms

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Cannabis company sued for alleged sexual harassment The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says a cannabis company subjected female workers at...
Clark County Graphic.4

Clark County Approves Highway Engineering Agreements, Discusses Infrastructure Upgrades

Clark County Board Meeting | February 20, 2026 Article Summary: The Clark County Highway Department received approval for a $20,562 engineering agreement to support a shoulder-paving project near Westfield, alongside...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Helm’s Two-Way Masterpiece Leads Champaign Central Past Casey-Westfield 3-0

The Casey-Westfield varsity softball team ran into a buzzsaw on Saturday afternoon, falling 3-0 to Champaign Central in neutral-site tournament action. The contest was defined by a spectacular two-way performance...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Champaign Central’s Early Surge Stuns Casey-Westfield in 3-0 Shutout

The Casey-Westfield varsity softball team suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Champaign Central in a neutral-site tournament game on Saturday. A three-run opening inning by the visitors proved...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Casey-Westfield Powers Past Farina South Central 11-4 in Tournament Play

The Casey-Westfield varsity softball team showcased a relentless offensive attack on Saturday, racking up 14 hits to defeat Farina South Central 11-4 in home tournament action. The hosts used a...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey-Westfield School Board for March 16, 2026

Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | March 16, 2026 The Casey-Westfield School Board convened for its regular session on Monday, March 16, 2026, addressing several key personnel and operational items. Alongside...