Dupage Policy Journal

State Representative Amy Grant shared information about fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans in a December 4 Facebook post, stating, "A state watchdog has found $7.2 million in fraudulent PPP claims made by Illinois state employees."

"A state watchdog has found $7.2 million in fraudulent PPP claims made by Illinois state employees," said Grant, according to Facebook.

According to her Facebook post, Grant shared an article from The Journal-Courier that focused on investigations by the Office of the Executive Inspector General, which began in 2022. This investigation centers on allegations that state employees improperly claimed loans from the PPP for small businesses they did not disclose or that were entirely fabricated. The inspector general’s report revealed involvement from employees across more than a dozen state agencies, with over 60% of those individuals working for the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). The inspector general’s office is investigating public employees who received $20,000 from the PPP loan program.

Screenshot of State Rep. Amy Grant's Dec. 4 Facebook post | State Representative Amy Grant's Facebook page

To obtain funding through PPP loans, applicants self-certified their small business and income levels. To receive a $20,000 loan, businesses under investigation declared $100,000 or more in net profit on the application. Since 2022, at least 43 individuals have left IDHS employment and 53 resigned. According to the Journal-Courier article, IDHS is not the only state agency involved in the probe. There are 31 cases in the Department of Corrections, 27 in the Department of Children and Family Services, 10 in Pace, and eight from the Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

The Edwardsville Intelligencer reported widespread fraud within the PPP program. It noted that a report from the inspector general for the Small Business Administration (SBA) indicated that more than $200 billion was paid out in "possibly fraudulent" aid to claimants nationwide. IDHS issued a statement to the paper: "Falsifying a federal loan document, for significant and improper personal gain, calls into question one’s character, honesty, and ability to act ethically. While the vast majority of IDHS’ roughly 14,000 state employees are hard-working people of strong character who work tirelessly to help the most vulnerable, it is deeply concerning any time an employee takes advantage of public programs," read their statement.

Grant represents residents of Illinois' 47th House District. Her political career includes six years on the DuPage County Board from 2012-2018. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Pittsburgh and has lived in Wheaton for over two decades with her husband. They are actively involved in their community through various organizations including the DuPage County Historical Museum Board and Glen Oaks Hospital Community Partnership Committee.