CHICAGO (AP) — Fourteen Illinoisans are accused of defrauding the state by collecting more than $400,000 in unemployment benefits even though they had jobs.
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and the Illinois Department of Employment Security announced indictments against the 14 defendants Tuesday.
The sweep caught nine defendants in Cook County, including one who allegedly collected more than $48,000 in fraudulent benefits. Additionally, the indictment accuses three Will County residents and residents from Kankakee and Champaign counties.
In a statement Tuesday, Madigan says prosecuting such cases deters fraud and ensures that the government has the resources to help those who are truly unemployed.
The defendants face felony charges of theft, state benefits fraud and wire fraud.
Today is Saturday, May 25, the 145th day of 2013. There are 220 days left in the year. 1863 -- 150 years ago: The annual review of the fire department of this city took placeyesterday and made a fine showing with machines and hose carts in tip-top order. 1888 -- 125 years ago: Last night's prayer meeting at Central Presbyterian Church wascalled off due to water in the basement, residue of last week's flood. 1913 -- 100 years ago: The junior class of Rock Island High School will hold a riverexcursion on the steamer St. Paul next Tuesday. 1938 -- 75 years ago: The 75th Anniversary of the Rock Island Arsenal today finds thenation's largest ordinance manufacturing plant filling many important orders for the army. 1963 -- 50 years ago: Miss Patrice Daly, Rock Island, a senior at Rock Island HighSchool, won second place in the recent state public speaking contest held in Peoria underthe auspices of the Knights of Pythias. 1988 -- 25 years ago: Hampton's sesquicentennial committee and the Hampton HistoricalSociety have scheduled a full slate of activities, which will be held throughout the year, to celebrate the village's 150th birthday. The first celebration will be the Memorial Dayprogram at 10 a.m. May 30, at the Brettun and Black Store Museum on River Road. Therewill be a sesquicentennial display.