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.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Will-County-Planning-and-Zoning-Commission-Meeting-July-1-2025

Contentious I-3 Rezoning for DuPage Township Storage Yard Narrowly Advances

A proposal to rezone a 20-acre parcel in DuPage Township from agricultural to the county's most intensive industrial classification narrowly earned a recommendation for approval from the Will County Planning...
Meeting-Briefs

Will County Legislative Committee July 1 Meeting Briefs

Federal Budget Impact: Will County could face significant funding challenges if federal budget reconciliation measures reduce Medicaid and SNAP benefits. The county health department and social services rely heavily on...
Will-County-Finance-Committee-Meeting-July-1-2025

County Moves Forward with $200.8 Million Bond Refinancing Plan

Will County Finance Committee members on July 1 approved moving forward with a comprehensive bond refinancing ordinance that could save taxpayers more than $716,000 over the life of the bonds...
Will-County-Public-Works-Transportation-Committee-Meeting-July-1-2025

Access Will County Dial-a-Ride Program Sees Record Growth, Eyes Expansion

Will County's dial-a-ride transportation service for seniors and disabled residents reached record ridership levels while officials plan major expansion to cover all county townships. The Access Will County program served...
Will-County-Capital-Improvements-IT-Committee-Meeting-July-1-2025

Will County to Launch New Public Meeting Agenda System in August Amidst Data Conversion Concerns

Will County is set to launch its new public meeting agenda and records software, Granicus “OneMeeting,” in August, but the transition will see over a decade of historical records converted...
Will-County-Planning-and-Zoning-Commission-Meeting-July-1-2025

Green Garden Township Poised for First Major Subdivision in Years After Rezoning

The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended a rezoning that could pave the way for the first major residential subdivision in Green Garden Township in nearly two decades....
Will-County-Finance-Committee-Meeting-July-1-2025

County RNG Facility Shows Strong Performance Despite Solar Challenges

Will County's Renewable Natural Gas facility is exceeding production targets while officials explore options to reduce substantial electricity costs that currently impact profitability. Project manager Greg Komperda told Finance Committee...
Meeting-Briefs

PZC Briefs: Solar Farm in Crete, Post-Fire Permit for Troy Business, and More

The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission handled several other cases during its July 1 meeting, including a new solar farm, a temporary permit for a fire-damaged business, and routine...
Meeting-Briefs

In Brief: Capital & IT News

Here are other highlights from the Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee meeting on Tuesday. Successful Fire Drill at County BuildingThe Will County Office Building held its first full...
Meeting-Briefs

Will County Finance Committee July 1 Meeting Briefs

Bond Refinancing Advances: Finance Committee approved an ordinance authorizing up to $200.8 million in bond refinancing that could save taxpayers more than $716,000. The measure moves to the full County...
Meeting-Briefs

Will County Public Works Committee Juliy 1 Meeting Briefs

ROAD CONTRACTS APPROVED Austin Tyler Construction Contract: The committee approved a $691,544 contract with Austin Tyler Construction for resurfacing River Road from East Frontage Road to Prairie Creek Bridge and...
Screenshot 2025-07-08 at 2.34.06 PM

Green Garden Township Weighs Youth Sports Partnership for Community Development

Green Garden Township could become home to expanded youth football facilities under a proposal presented at Thursday's special meeting, as local sports programs seek permanent venues amid community facility discussions....
Meeting-Briefs-1

Green Garden Town Hall June 26 Meeting Briefs

Grant Deadline Approaches: Green Garden Township must decide on facility plans by the end of 2026 to retain $400,000 in remaining Will County grant funding. The township has already invested...
JJC-Graphic-Logo

JJC Trustees Approve Contentious FY26 Budget After Heated Debate, Failed Postponement

The Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved a $322.3 million budget for fiscal year 2026, but not before a tense debate that saw a motion to postpone...
Joliet-Junior-college.-Graphic-Logo.5

JJC’s ‘12x12x12’ Initiative Boosts College Credits, Increases Matriculation Rate

Joliet Junior College’s ambitious "12x12x12" initiative is yielding significant results, leading to more high school students earning college credits and a greater percentage of them choosing to attend JJC after...