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CHICAGO, IL - August 6, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn today signed two new housing laws to provide people with disabilities with more access to affordable rental housing, and to further protect homeowners from mortgage fraud. The supportive housing law makes $10 million in rental housing subsidies available over 15 years to eligible landlords. In addition, the governor announced the commitment of up to $40 million in Illinois Jobs Now! capital funds for developers of permanent supportive housing. These laws build on the governor’s strong commitment to providing more housing options for people with disabilities, and to protecting consumers from predatory lenders.

December 15, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- A metro-east resident was sentenced yesterday, December 13, 2011, in the United States District Court in East St. Louis, for participating in a conspiracy to defraud the United States and evade the payment of federal income taxes and for making false statements on a mortgage loan application, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Belinda Cheri McKinney, 43, was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment.

August 15, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Three metro-east residents recently pled guilty in United States District Court in East St. Louis, for participating in a conspiracy to defraud the United States and evade the payment of federal income taxes, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Robert Todd McKinney, 42, and his wife Belinda McKinney, 43, pled guilty on August 11, 2011. John Quinn McKinney, 39, pled guilty on August 9, 2011; while his wife, Chamethele McKinney, 36, pled guilty on August 3, 2011. Robert (Todd) McKinney and John McKinney were both convicted of conspiracy to commit tax evasion, tax evasion, and making false statements to federal officials. Belinda McKinney was convicted of conspiracy to commit tax evasion and loan application fraud. Chamethele McKinney was previously convicted of conspiracy to commit tax evasion, loan application fraud, and federal food stamp fraud.

URBANA, IL - October 4, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A federal jury deliberated approximately five and one-half hours before returning guilty verdicts on all nine counts of fraud charged against Decatur real estate broker Terry Hart for his participation in a real estate “flipping” scheme Hart’s sentencing is scheduled on Jan. 20, 2011. Trial began in Urbana federal court on Sept. 21.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - July 13, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- July 12, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today signed two bills into law that will protect consumers from deceptive home repair and remodeling practices. Senate Bill 3645 and Senate Bill 2540 protect homeowners and individuals who have disabilities from fraudulent home repair projects