(The Center Square) – Chicago officials have broken ground on a taxpayer-funded project to turn a former South Side motel into a non-congregate shelter serving young adults experiencing homelessness.
The $6.2 million redevelopment is supported by $3.7 million in Chicago Recovery Plan funding, $2 million in Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and a $500,000 federal earmark from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The project will house 26 units serving people from age 18 to 24, providing each resident with a private bedroom and bathroom.
Six charged with suburban healthcare fraud
The owner of a southwest suburban Chicago counseling center and five others have been indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly submitting at least $19 million in fraudulent claims to a private insurer for psychotherapy services that were not provided.
Brenda Copeland, 64, of Country Club Hills operated All Types Counseling Services, which purportedly provided counseling services for depression, addiction and other conditions.
Prosecutors said Copeland schemed with the company’s office manager, Samuel Carlson, and four purported patients to submit false and fraudulent claims to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois for nonexistent services from 2010 to 2025.
The indictment charges Copeland, 64, Carlson, 69, Herbert “Randy” Foster, 59, of Flossmoor, Joseph Iraci, 51, of New Lenox, Anthony Gessert, 42, of Oak Lawn and Henry Saldarriaga Ochoa, 37, of Berwyn with health care fraud and conspiracy to commit health care fraud.
Man charged with setting massage parlors on fire
A court appearance is scheduled in East St. Louis on Friday for a man accused of setting two massage parlors on fire in Cahokia Heights.
Quentin Hanks, 36, of St. Louis was charged with arson in connection with the fire at the massage parlors in the 200 block of 88th Street on Monday. Investigators said one body was recovered from the scene.
Tourism grants available
Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced on Wednesday that $2.4 million is available in tourism funding through the Tourism Attraction Grant Program and the Tourism Private Sector Grant Program.
State officials said the $1.8 million Tourism Attraction Grant Program will provide funding for the development or improvement of tourism attractions. The $600,000 private sector program provides state funding for entities to attract, host and develop events and festivals.
Financial conditions index holds steady
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s National Financial Conditions Index was unchanged at –0.50 in the week ending Oct. 16, suggesting steady financial conditions.
