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The Markham Journal
16 charged with lying to get housing benefits
By Rudolph Bush
Tribune staff reporter
Published July 18, 2006
Federal prosecutors announced Monday they
have filed charges against 16 people for lying to
get housing benefits totaling hundreds of
thousands of dollars.
The charges, both civil and criminal, came in
separate cases filed last week by the U.S.
attorney's office.
Giovanna Mendez, who worked for a private
company contracted to the Chicago Housing
Authority, was charged with embezzling nearly
$50,000 from the Housing Choice Voucher
program from 2000 to 2004.
Prosecutors allege Mendez, 35, of Chicago had
the authority to cut voucher-payment checks
and allegedly used it to forge 22 checks totaling
$49,732. She funneled the money into phony
landlord accounts for her own benefit, according
to the charges. Mendez was fired in 2004,
according to a CHA spokeswoman.
Her attorney, Matt Keenan, declined to
comment.
Prosecutors charged Aserine Blevins, 66, of
Markham and her daughter, Terry Ann Littlepage,
47, of Oak Forest with lying to get
housing-voucher money.
Blevins and Littlepage are accused of falsely
stating that Blevins was Littlepage's tenant when
Blevins was the actual owner of the Markham
home.
The alleged scam netted Littlepage $36,800 from
1998 to 2002, prosecutors charge.
A call to Blevins' home in Markham was not
immediately returned.
A second mother-daughter team, Onnie
Johnson, 65, and Apphia Harris, 30, both of
Chicago, are accused of fraudulently obtaining
$31,952 from the voucher program from 2002 to
2004.
Prosecutors allege Johnson used the alias Annie
Mae Johnson to purportedly rent a South Side
home to Harris. Johnson was aware both that she
didn't own the home and that she was
prohibited from renting to her daughter,
prosecutors allege.
Efforts to reach Harris and Johnson were
unsuccessful.
Seven of the 16 defendants also face lawsuits
alleging they were unjustly enriched through their
false claims.
If convicted, the defendants would face prison
time and fines and would be required to pay
back all of the allegedly ill-gotten money.
----------
rrbush@tribune.com
By Rudolph Bush
Tribune staff reporter
Published July 18, 2006
Federal prosecutors announced Monday they
have filed charges against 16 people for lying to
get housing benefits totaling hundreds of
thousands of dollars.
The charges, both civil and criminal, came in
separate cases filed last week by the U.S.
attorney's office.
Giovanna Mendez, who worked for a private
company contracted to the Chicago Housing
Authority, was charged with embezzling nearly
$50,000 from the Housing Choice Voucher
program from 2000 to 2004.
Prosecutors allege Mendez, 35, of Chicago had
the authority to cut voucher-payment checks
and allegedly used it to forge 22 checks totaling
$49,732. She funneled the money into phony
landlord accounts for her own benefit, according
to the charges. Mendez was fired in 2004,
according to a CHA spokeswoman.
Her attorney, Matt Keenan, declined to
comment.
Prosecutors charged Aserine Blevins, 66, of
Markham and her daughter, Terry Ann Littlepage,
47, of Oak Forest with lying to get
housing-voucher money.
Blevins and Littlepage are accused of falsely
stating that Blevins was Littlepage's tenant when
Blevins was the actual owner of the Markham
home.
The alleged scam netted Littlepage $36,800 from
1998 to 2002, prosecutors charge.
A call to Blevins' home in Markham was not
immediately returned.
A second mother-daughter team, Onnie
Johnson, 65, and Apphia Harris, 30, both of
Chicago, are accused of fraudulently obtaining
$31,952 from the voucher program from 2002 to
2004.
Prosecutors allege Johnson used the alias Annie
Mae Johnson to purportedly rent a South Side
home to Harris. Johnson was aware both that she
didn't own the home and that she was
prohibited from renting to her daughter,
prosecutors allege.
Efforts to reach Harris and Johnson were
unsuccessful.
Seven of the 16 defendants also face lawsuits
alleging they were unjustly enriched through their
false claims.
If convicted, the defendants would face prison
time and fines and would be required to pay
back all of the allegedly ill-gotten money.
----------
rrbush@tribune.com
From the Star News:
Naturing the prairie
Area students earn while learning the importance of Markham's natural sites
Thursday, August 17, 2006
By Kimberley Mathisen, The Star
While not many people know that Markham is home to four natural prairies, 24 students learned quite a bit
about insects and weeds as part of a state-sponsored employment program.
The students were part of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's summer employment program, "Youth Development
Works," and spent the better part of the summer clearing Dropseed Prairie.
One of two organizations selected to represent south suburban youth, the students completed the outdoor
work, and also helped on projects inside the Markham Community Center, said Twin Green, founder and
president of the Link & Option Center in Markham.
The completion of the student work was celebrated recently at the Markham Community Center and several
community leaders attended the event.
In addition to comments from Green and the supervisors, a slide presentation chronicled the students' work
throughout the summer weeks.
Joseph Bertrand, special liaison to Robert Donaldson, mayor of Hazel Crest, applauded the program and the
Link & Option Center.
"This is a great program for the students," Bertrand said. "The Link & Option Center is a diamond in the rough,
and is a great organization for our children."
Also on hand were state Rep. Will Davis, D-Hazel Crest; Sam Watkins, representing U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, D-
Chicago; Markham Ald. Rondal Jones, 3rd Ward, and Karen Cohen, Markham city treasurer.
The students who took part in the program are all Markham residents and attend several area high schools.
Students said they worked hard and enjoyed learning about land and wildlife that inhabit the prairie.
"We learned that prairies are mainly grasslands — there's no trees," said Ashley Nesbitt, 16.
"The prairie is right behind the school (community center) and we got rid of weeds and also painted as part
of the beautification project," Nesbitt said.
Dressed appropriately each day in long slacks and socks to protect against insects, the students saw some
area wildlife as well.
"It's one thing to learn about different animals in school, and it's another to see them in the wild," said Corey
Weaver, 16.
Some of the students were also impressed with the special seminars that were part of the program.
"Speakers came here to discuss saving and investments, and political subjects," said Ariel Barfield, 17.
Many of the students said they have a new-found interest in horticulture and landscape since taking part in
the program.
Terra-Lasha Fields, 16, said she enjoyed the experience.
"Learning about new plants and animals was fun," Fields said. "We saw a lot of different birds, snakes and
insects."
Four students — Derrick Jones, Bobby Winbush, Yasmie Hill and Myron Burts — served as project supervisors
for the high school students, Green said.
"This was a great learning experience for me," said Darren Russ. "This was my first job, and I like working
outside."
Additional participants in the program include: Lynn Harris, Kendraya Winbush, Sheena Smith, Jimese
Kilpatrick, LaToya Fields, LaTonya Fields, Jaryl Johnson and Ralph Miller.
Others include: Raphael Thomas, Ton-Jhanique Riley, Jasmine Johnson, Katie Burson, Randle Swinney, and
Marvin Lewis.
At 13 acres, Dropseed Prairie is one of the smallest in the city and is located behind the Link & Option Center,
located at the Markham Community Center, 156th Street and Homan Avenue.
Dropseed and the other three prairies are known as the Indian Boundary Prairies of Markham, Patricia
Brownlow, steward and tour leader for the Friends of the Indian Boundary Prairies, said.
Brownlow praised the students for their hard work during the hot summer.
She said Illinois is unofficially called the "Prairie State," and that Markham has national landmark status due to
the presence of the four prairies.
"I'm honored to have worked with these students," Brownlow said. "And I think they share my enthusiasm for
our very own landmarks here in Markham.
"They worked to remove the invasive plants that can negatively affect the prairie growth," she said.
"I'm happy that we got a lot of work completed here and that supervisors were able to show the students
what being a leader means," said Burts.
More information about the Friends of the Indian Boundary Prairies is with Brownlow at (708) 333-2549.
The Link & Option Center, Inc. is at 15652 Homan Ave. More information is with Green at (708) 331-4880.
Kimberley Mathisen may be reached at kmathisen@starnewspapers.com or (708) 802-8846.
Naturing the prairie
Area students earn while learning the importance of Markham's natural sites
Thursday, August 17, 2006
By Kimberley Mathisen, The Star
While not many people know that Markham is home to four natural prairies, 24 students learned quite a bit
about insects and weeds as part of a state-sponsored employment program.
The students were part of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's summer employment program, "Youth Development
Works," and spent the better part of the summer clearing Dropseed Prairie.
One of two organizations selected to represent south suburban youth, the students completed the outdoor
work, and also helped on projects inside the Markham Community Center, said Twin Green, founder and
president of the Link & Option Center in Markham.
The completion of the student work was celebrated recently at the Markham Community Center and several
community leaders attended the event.
In addition to comments from Green and the supervisors, a slide presentation chronicled the students' work
throughout the summer weeks.
Joseph Bertrand, special liaison to Robert Donaldson, mayor of Hazel Crest, applauded the program and the
Link & Option Center.
"This is a great program for the students," Bertrand said. "The Link & Option Center is a diamond in the rough,
and is a great organization for our children."
Also on hand were state Rep. Will Davis, D-Hazel Crest; Sam Watkins, representing U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, D-
Chicago; Markham Ald. Rondal Jones, 3rd Ward, and Karen Cohen, Markham city treasurer.
The students who took part in the program are all Markham residents and attend several area high schools.
Students said they worked hard and enjoyed learning about land and wildlife that inhabit the prairie.
"We learned that prairies are mainly grasslands — there's no trees," said Ashley Nesbitt, 16.
"The prairie is right behind the school (community center) and we got rid of weeds and also painted as part
of the beautification project," Nesbitt said.
Dressed appropriately each day in long slacks and socks to protect against insects, the students saw some
area wildlife as well.
"It's one thing to learn about different animals in school, and it's another to see them in the wild," said Corey
Weaver, 16.
Some of the students were also impressed with the special seminars that were part of the program.
"Speakers came here to discuss saving and investments, and political subjects," said Ariel Barfield, 17.
Many of the students said they have a new-found interest in horticulture and landscape since taking part in
the program.
Terra-Lasha Fields, 16, said she enjoyed the experience.
"Learning about new plants and animals was fun," Fields said. "We saw a lot of different birds, snakes and
insects."
Four students — Derrick Jones, Bobby Winbush, Yasmie Hill and Myron Burts — served as project supervisors
for the high school students, Green said.
"This was a great learning experience for me," said Darren Russ. "This was my first job, and I like working
outside."
Additional participants in the program include: Lynn Harris, Kendraya Winbush, Sheena Smith, Jimese
Kilpatrick, LaToya Fields, LaTonya Fields, Jaryl Johnson and Ralph Miller.
Others include: Raphael Thomas, Ton-Jhanique Riley, Jasmine Johnson, Katie Burson, Randle Swinney, and
Marvin Lewis.
At 13 acres, Dropseed Prairie is one of the smallest in the city and is located behind the Link & Option Center,
located at the Markham Community Center, 156th Street and Homan Avenue.
Dropseed and the other three prairies are known as the Indian Boundary Prairies of Markham, Patricia
Brownlow, steward and tour leader for the Friends of the Indian Boundary Prairies, said.
Brownlow praised the students for their hard work during the hot summer.
She said Illinois is unofficially called the "Prairie State," and that Markham has national landmark status due to
the presence of the four prairies.
"I'm honored to have worked with these students," Brownlow said. "And I think they share my enthusiasm for
our very own landmarks here in Markham.
"They worked to remove the invasive plants that can negatively affect the prairie growth," she said.
"I'm happy that we got a lot of work completed here and that supervisors were able to show the students
what being a leader means," said Burts.
More information about the Friends of the Indian Boundary Prairies is with Brownlow at (708) 333-2549.
The Link & Option Center, Inc. is at 15652 Homan Ave. More information is with Green at (708) 331-4880.
Kimberley Mathisen may be reached at kmathisen@starnewspapers.com or (708) 802-8846.
The Bradford Anderson Oglesby Library
Board of Trustees welcomed the architect
of the new library to their last meeting.
Because construction costs have
increased so much since Hurricane
Katrina, all of the contractors had overbid
for the construction project.
Brian Wright from Burnidge Cassell &
Associates, Inc. presented an alternative
floor plan that would likely come in under
the required bond limit for the building.
The next deadline for bids for the Library
Construction project is September 6 at
4:30pm. The bids will be opened that
evening at the City Council Meeting.
Board of Trustees welcomed the architect
of the new library to their last meeting.
Because construction costs have
increased so much since Hurricane
Katrina, all of the contractors had overbid
for the construction project.
Brian Wright from Burnidge Cassell &
Associates, Inc. presented an alternative
floor plan that would likely come in under
the required bond limit for the building.
The next deadline for bids for the Library
Construction project is September 6 at
4:30pm. The bids will be opened that
evening at the City Council Meeting.