Illinois Quick Hits: Carbondale store owner sentenced for SNAP fraud

Illinois Quick Hits: Carbondale store owner sentenced for SNAP fraud

July 10, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A Carbondale store owner has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison after he admitted to fraudulently acquiring Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program benefits.

Dean Amley, 61, pleaded guilty in March 2025 to conspiracy to commit food stamp fraud, unauthorized acquisition of SNAP benefits, and money laundering.

In addition to 46 months in prison and three years of supervised release, Amley was ordered to pay $564,936 in restitution.

ILLINOIS MEDICAID CUSTOMERS TO RECEIVE MIDWIFE SERVICES

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has launched licensed, certified midwife services for Illinois Medicaid customers.

The new provider type will allow midwives to provide service in home and birth center settings.

FORMER IDPH DIRECTOR JOINS MAINE SENATE RACE

Former Illinois public health director Nirav Shah has thrown his name into the list of potential candidates to replace former Maine U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner.

Shah served as director of the IDPH under former Gov. Bruce Rauner and would serve alongside Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who was adamant about Shah resigning after what Duckworth said was a poorly-handled response to an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease.

Sean Reed contributed to this story

DEERE SETTLEMENT ANNOUNCED

In a settlement agreement to a lawsuit filed by Illinois, Wisconsin and three other states, Deere and Co. has agreed to provide farmers and independent repair shops access to the same equipment repair resources and software capabilities as authorized retailers for the next 10 years.

The lawsuit claimed the company unfairly prevented farmers and independent repair shops the ability to repair John Deere tractors and farm equipment.

The Federal Trade Commission joined the states in the lawsuit and will oversee the settlement agreement.

Jon Styf contributed to this story

JOHNSON ANNOUNCES CHA APPOINTMENTS

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced three appointments to the Chicago Housing Authority board.

John Bartlett previously served as executive director of the Metropolitan Tenants Organization. Hipolito (Paul) Roldan is founder and CEO of the Hispanic Housing Development Corp.. Ramona Westbrook is president and founder of Brook Architecture.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Schools face bus funding, cost challenges

Schools face bus funding, cost challenges

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Public schools are facing bus transportation challenges due to higher costs and a shortage of drivers. State...
‘Family Month’ backer cites biology, declining birth rates in defense of resolution

‘Family Month’ backer cites biology, declining birth rates in defense of resolution

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Family Institute Executive Director David Smith is praising a proposal from U.S. Rep. Mary Miller...
Aldermen say lawmakers failed to address illegal cannabis sales near schools

Aldermen say lawmakers failed to address illegal cannabis sales near schools

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the Chicago City Council’s public safety committee moved forward with an ordinance that would increase penalties...
Illinois Quick Hits: Oak Park woman charged with child care fraud

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

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Oak Park woman is charged with defrauding the state of Illinois out of more than $30,000...
Florida attorney general appeals Chicago judge’s ‘lawless’ transgender ruling

Florida attorney general appeals Chicago judge’s ‘lawless’ transgender ruling

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Saying a Chicago federal judge overstepped his constitutional authority, Florida's state attorney general has asked a federal appeals court to quickly reverse...
Congressman calls out Chicago schools' academic woes

Congressman calls out Chicago schools’ academic woes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Public Schools Superintendent Macquline King testified before Congress that math and reading proficiency rates for CPS...
Everyday Economics: A stable labor market is not enough

Everyday Economics: A stable labor market is not enough

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square The May jobs report offered a measure of reassurance: the labor market is stable. Employers are still adding jobs, layoffs remain contained, and the economy...
Fishermen advocate begins campaign against offshore wind, ‘industrializing’ of the ocean

Fishermen advocate begins campaign against offshore wind, ‘industrializing’ of the ocean

By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square (The Center Square ) – The New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association began a campaign to bring attention to what it says is a radical climate...
Sorensen drug-pricing bill draws criticism from former FDA official

Sorensen drug-pricing bill draws criticism from former FDA official

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Illinois, is backing legislation he says would lower prescription drug costs by...
Supporters, critics clash over future of taxpayer funding for Rx Kids

Supporters, critics clash over future of taxpayer funding for Rx Kids

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Michigan lawmakers remain divided over the future of the state's Rx Kids program as House Republicans continue scrutinizing the initiative. The first-in-the-nation cash assistance program,...
U.S. Senate race headlines Maine primaries as voters head to polls Tuesday

U.S. Senate race headlines Maine primaries as voters head to polls Tuesday

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Voters in Maine will head to the polls Tuesday in high profile primary races that could help determine control of Congress. The races have garnered...
Bessent backs 3% deficit goal despite 5% budget forecasts

Bessent backs 3% deficit goal despite 5% budget forecasts

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pledged in two congressional hearings this week to cut the federal deficit to 3% of GDP, a target the government's...
Bessent backs 3% deficit goal despite 5% budget forecasts

Bessent backs 3% deficit goal despite 5% budget forecasts

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pledged in two congressional hearings this week to cut the federal deficit to 3% of GDP, a target the government's...
Constables hope to find missing children in immigration search effort

Constables hope to find missing children in immigration search effort

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square After months of Congress stalling on funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and administrative changes, Pennsylvania state constables who’ve signed agreements to support federal...
Constables hope to find missing children in immigration search effort

Constables hope to find missing children in immigration search effort

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square After months of Congress stalling on funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and administrative changes, Pennsylvania state constables who’ve signed agreements to support federal...