Feds widen probe into Illinois payouts to social-service agencies

The Chicago Sun-Times reports:

A federal investigation into state payouts to social-service agencies that had partly focused on state Sen. Rickey Hendon appears to have broadened, targeting state-funded groups that are tied to at least three more lawmakers.

Prosecutors in Chicago and Springfield have issued four subpoenas since December to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Department of Corrections and Department of Public Health.

The subpoenas obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times seek “contracts, correspondences, invoices, audits, payments [and] receipts” for 10 state grant recipients, contractors and their officers. Since 2001, taxpayers have paid at least $695,000 to those organizations.

At least part of the investigation centers on how much work — or whether any work — was actually performed by recipients of state grants or contracts, the Sun-Times has learned.

Corruption out of control.