(The Center Square) – Two former Evanston/Skokie School District 65 vendors pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges on Tuesday. Antonio Ross, 49, and Alfonzo Lewis, 49, of Chicago admitted their roles in a kickback scheme orchestrated by the district’s former superintendent, Devon Horton, 49, who pleaded guilty earlier this month to wire fraud, embezzlement and tax charges.
Horton’s sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 5. Sentencing for Lewis is set for Jan. 25 and for Ross on March 10.
Report: St. Clair board member late on property taxes
A St. Clair County Board member is behind three years on property taxes for his Belleville home, and he hasn’t paid taxes on time for at least six years.
The Belleville News-Democrat reported that attorney C.J. Baricevic Jr., who represents District 16, didn’t pay his $4,974 tax bill for 2023, his $4,686 tax bill for 2024 or his $4,884 tax bill for 2025.
The delinquent bills were sold to a private investor in exchange for liens on the property.
Study ranks Illinois sixth-most expensive state to keep small business
Illinois is #6 on a list of the most expensive states to keep a small business open.
Bridge Point Business Brokers compared office rent, minimum wage, commercial electricity prices, top individual income tax rates, effective property tax rates, workers’ compensation costs, internet costs and combined sales tax rates across 48 states.
Illinois was the only Midwest state in the top ten and tied New Jersey for the highest property tax rate.
Missouri was #14, Wisconsin #31, Indiana #43, Iowa #45 and Kentucky #46. Wyoming was the least expensive state to keep a small business open at #48.
Fed survey shows firms expect inflation to continue
According to an August survey, companies in the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’ region reported a 3% increase in prices they charged to customers over the past year, and they expected the same increase in the next 12 months.
Firms reported ongoing cost measures, especially from suppliers who change prices more often or add temporary fees. Despite rising costs, many businesses reported maintaining strong sales, mainly because of stable demand and higher sales volumes.
Headquartered in St. Louis, the Eighth Federal Reserve District covers all of Arkansas, most of Missouri, and parts of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee.
