Illinois Quick Hits: Oak Park woman charged with child care fraud

Illinois Quick Hits: Oak Park woman charged with child care fraud

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – An Oak Park woman is charged with defrauding the state of Illinois out of more than $30,000 by claiming her father was a child care provider when he was actually residing in a long-term care facility.

The Illinois Attorney General’s office says Krystal May, 40, submitted false earning statements and checks containing false information to obtain state child care benefits from June 2021 to June 2024.

The case follows an investigation by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services’ Office of Inspector General.

FUEL PRICES DECLINE, REMAIN HIGHER THAN IN 2025

Gas prices continued to drop this week, but they remain well above 2025 numbers.

AAA’s average price for a gallon of regular unleaded on Thursday was $4.45 in Illinois, down from $4.67 one week ago. The average Illinois price one year ago was $3.41. AAA’s current national average is $4.13.

The average diesel price in Illinois is $5.58, down from $6.02 one month ago but up from $3.51 a year ago. AAA’s national average for diesel is $5.28.

BP: REFINERY, UNION REMAIN FAR APART

BP officials say the Whiting, Indiana refinery and the United Steelworkers Local 7-1 bargaining committee remain far apart on proposals to reach a new labor agreement.

The two sides held their 63rd formal bargaining session on Wednesday.

City officials in Whiting, East Chicago, Hammond and Crown Point have called on BP to end the lockout that began in March. BP said on Wednesday that the refinery continues to operate safely, reliably and compliantly.

MERCHANTS POLL: AMERICANS WANT SWIPE FEES REDUCED

According to a poll released by the Merchants Payment Coalition, 75% of likely voters say Congress should act to reduce electronic processing fees on credit and debit card transactions.

The survey results come after the Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act was blocked by a federal judge last week and swipe fee legislation in Colorado was vetoed.

Payment processors, banking and credit union associations oppose the Illinois law, which would ban processing fees on the tax and tip portions of credit and debit card transactions.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

CTA security enhancement plan follows federal push, complaints

CTA security enhancement plan follows federal push, complaints

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After resident complaints and threatened funding cuts by the Trump administration, the Chicago Transit Authority has submitted...
Lawyers who specialize in suing Chicago cops seek special prosecutor to go after ICE

Lawyers who specialize in suing Chicago cops seek special prosecutor to go after ICE

By Jonathan Bilyk.| Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Chicago law firm, with a business model built on raking in big, taxpayer-funded fees in cases representing people suing Chicago cops and...
Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.3

Will Land Use Committee Evaluates Multi-Million Dollar Buyout for Flooded Harris Drive Homes

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | March 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee is exploring a multi-million-dollar buyout program for several homes...
Will County Board Graphic.04

Behavioral Health Division Drops Wait Times, Reports Zero Opioid Deaths in February

Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | March 5, 2026 Article Summary: Will County’s Behavioral Health Division reported significant operational improvements, including a near-elimination of wait times for therapy and...
Will County Board Graphic.03

Harris Drive Residents Plead for County Intervention Amid Failing Septic Systems and Flooding

Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | March 5, 2026 Article Summary: Residents of Harris Drive appealed to the Public Health and Safety Committee for help with severe seasonal flooding...
Police Crime

Will County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Fatal Hit-and-Run in Homer Glen

Article Summary: The Will County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public's assistance in identifying a driver involved in a fatal hit-and-run crash in Homer Glen that left a pedestrian dead....
will county Committee-Public Health & Safety.Graphic

Federal Funding Freezes Threaten Will County Public Health Programs Amid Ongoing Lawsuits

Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | March 5, 2026 Article Summary: Will County health officials are bracing for potential service disruptions as they monitor multiple federal lawsuits surrounding frozen...
Legal experts anticipate SCOTUS will overturn drug user gun ban

Legal experts anticipate SCOTUS will overturn drug user gun ban

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Legal experts anticipate the U.S. Supreme Court will strike down a law barring unlawful drug users from possessing firearms. On Monday, justices of the U.S....
Parents' rights advocates hail SCOTUS ruling against secret gender transitions

Parents’ rights advocates hail SCOTUS ruling against secret gender transitions

By Tate MillerThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Mirabelli v. Olson deciding against California’s law that allowed for gender transitions of school children without parental knowledge has...
Critics warn Illinois bill could lead to government overreach in newborn care

Critics warn Illinois bill could lead to government overreach in newborn care

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Family Institute is raising concerns over a proposed bill that would offer voluntary home...
Veteran suicide rate remains high despite spending millions

Veteran suicide rate remains high despite spending millions

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Veterans die by suicide at roughly twice the civilian rate, despite the Department of Veterans Affairs spending more than $500 million a year to address...
BlackRock summit to focus on workforce needed for U.S. infrastructure boom

BlackRock summit to focus on workforce needed for U.S. infrastructure boom

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square A coalition of government officials, corporate executives, and labor leaders is gathering in Washington next week to address what many see as the biggest obstacle...
Debate grows as states consider teacher strike bans

Debate grows as states consider teacher strike bans

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Many states are considering new policies affecting teachers’ ability to strike or participate in protests, and education officials and labor advocates continue to debate the...
American gasoline prices increase most in one week since 2020

American gasoline prices increase most in one week since 2020

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square American gasoline prices continued to rise on Friday and are up the most of any week since 2022. Iran widened attacks on energy-producing countries near...
Presidents, governor honor late civil rights leader Jackson; mayor says tax the rich

Presidents, governor honor late civil rights leader Jackson; mayor says tax the rich

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Former President Barack Obama said his path to the White House was laid by late civil rights...