Illinois Quick Hits: Two charged with Medicare, Medicaid fraud

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Two Chicago-area defendants have been charged in connection with alleged schemes to defraud Medicare and Medicaid out of millions of dollars.

Prosecutors said Amirali Bhimani, 42, of Naperville caused laboratories to bill Medicare for never-received Covid-19 test kits, for which Medicare paid about $240 million.

Daniel Robinson, 51, of Palos Park is accused of fraudulently claiming behavioral health services that were never provided by his company, ODA Solutions, which billed Medicaid and received about $75 million.

GOVERNOR CUTS RIBBON AT NEW AMRIZE HEADQUARTERS

As part of an agreement that includes state tax incentives, Amrize has agreed to invest $18.6 million and and create 50 full-time jobs in Chicago.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker cut the ribbon at the building solutions company’s new headquarters Tuesday.

TREASURER ANNOUNCES COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs has unveiled a community investment program he says is designed to build affordable housing, help nonprofits and generate returns for the state.

A statement from the treasurer’s office says Frerichs invested $10 million with IFF, a Chicago-based financial institution that provides financing and real estate consulting to nonprofits and people underserved by traditional financial institutions.

One of the first completed projects is the new Chicago headquarters of a nonprofit that runs neighborhood bus tours and offers city history lessons in the Auburn Gresham community.

SEC OF STATE AWARDS $27 MILLION IN LIBRARY GRANTS

Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias has announced more than $27 million in grants to libraries across the state for books, technology, literacy programs, infrastructure improvements and security upgrades.

The Secretary of State’s office is awarding more than $22.6 million through its annual Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grant programs.

The FY2026 awards represent a 15% increase over last year’s grants.