Illinois Quick Hits: Ex-mayor, trustees among 11 charged in Ford Heights sting
(The Center Square) – A former mayor and elected officials from Ford Heights are among 11 people charged in connection with a scheme to illegally use municipal funds on personal vacations at casinos.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed 79 felony counts, including theft of governmental property and official misconduct, after state and Cook County authorities executed a search warrant at Ford Heights Municipal Hall on Thursday.
Raoul alleged that the 11 individuals used village funds for airfare, hotel accommodations and exorbitant spending excursions in Las Vegas, Nevada and Michigan City, Indiana.
Former Ford Heights Mayor Annie R. Coulter, 74, was charged along with village clerk Nyree D. Ford, 53, current village trustees Johnny A. Griffin, 67, and James E. Morgan, 48, and former trustees Scottie L. Hatten, 38, LaDell L. Jones, 61, and Antoina T. McMichales, 56.
Also charged were Antone Adams, 59, of Chicago Heights, Allis Franklin, 78, of Ford Heights, Mary Matthews Graziano, 65, of Ford Heights, and Dedra D. Lee, 65, of Ford Heights.
The defendants are scheduled for arraignment Wednesday.
PRITZKER, DCEO AWARD $4.6 MILLION IN TOURISM GRANTS
Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity have announced $4.6 million in taxpayer-funded tourism grants.
The awards include $2 million from the Route 66 grant program, $2 million from the tourism marketing partnership program and $654,000 from the international tourism grant program.
The awards are spread among 49 grantees.
CHICAGO BREAKS GROUND ON $1.3 MILLION TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE
City and state officials have broken ground on a $1.3 million pedestrian hybrid beacon project in Chicago.
The traffic control device to be on Ridge Avenue at Wayne and Hollywood Avenues is also described as a high-intensity activated crosswalk.
Mayor Brandon Johnson, Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth and state Sen. Mike Simmons, D-Chicago, participated in the groundbreaking event Monday.
The beacon is expected to be activated later this fall, but drivers can expect traffic delays and lane shifts while construction continues.
PEORIA MAN GETS TEN YEARS FOR METH DISTRIBUTION
A Peoria man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
U.S. government attorneys said individuals purchased meth, fentanyl and cocaine from Dione D. Alexander, 37, on multiple occasions in 2024.
FED SEEKS SMALL BUSINESS INPUT
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is inviting small business owners to participate in an annual survey on the current business climate.
The Fed says Small Business Credit Survey questions are best answered by owners and key financial decision makers.
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