DUPAGE COUNTY – A former Glendale Heights attorney is headed to prison after prosecutors said he used his girlfriend’s identity to take out fraudulent loans, including one for a luxury car.

What we know:

Leonard DeFranco, 71, was sentenced Friday to six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for identity theft.

Prosecutors said he used his then-girlfriend’s personal information without her knowledge to secure four loans totaling $82,700 between 2015 and 2017. The fraud was uncovered when she checked her credit report and found accounts she hadn’t opened.

Investigators determined that one of the fraudulent loans was used to purchase a $43,500 Audi A8.

“White collar financial crimes always leave a paper trail,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. “His scheming and deception brought dishonor to the legal profession and a slap in the face to his former girlfriend, to whom he undoubtedly caused a financial hardship.”

Dig deeper:

DeFranco was initially charged with multiple felonies, including identity theft, forgery, and financial institution fraud. However, he pleaded guilty in May 2024 to one count of identity theft for an amount exceeding $10,000 but less than $100,000.

At his sentencing, prosecutors said DeFranco had stolen a total of $845,831 from a dozen victims, including his ex-girlfriend, five other people, and six financial institutions.

DeFranco, who posted bond in 2018 after his arrest, will now serve his six-year sentence in state prison.

Furthermore, the Illinois Registration and Disciplinary Commission disbarred him in March 2024.

CHICAGO – Gov. JB Pritzker will lead a trade mission to Mexico next week aiming to strengthen economic ties between Illinois and one of its largest trading partners. 

Illinois trade mission to Mexico

The backstory:

The trip will run from Sunday through Wednesday with a delegation that includes state officials and business leaders. It will focus on expanding partnerships in agriculture, manufacturing and finance.

“Our state’s forward-thinking policies, coupled with our rich natural resources, skilled workforce, and world-class infrastructure, make it an ideal place for companies to thrive,” Pritzker said in a statement. “As we embark on this trade mission to Mexico, we are excited to further strengthen our economic ties and showcase the many advantages that Illinois offers to businesses in North America and around the world.”

By the numbers:

Mexico is Illinois’ second-largest export market, with trade between the two surpassing $32 billion in 2024. Illinois also imports over $19 billion in goods from Mexico, making it the state’s third-largest import market.

Dig deeper:

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and Intersect Illinois are among the agencies participating in the mission. Delegates will engage in discussions with Mexican officials and business leaders to foster new trade opportunities and investment.

Illinois has had a trade office in Mexico City since 1989. The state has also participated in initiatives like the Illinois State Trade and Export Promotion program, which facilitates annual trade missions to Mexico.

The delegation includes members of the Illinois General Assembly, state economic development leaders, and executives from various industries. Among the notable attendees are First Lady MK Pritzker, State Sens. Celina Villanueva and Cristina Castro, and executives from United Airlines, Northern Trust, ComEd, and the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association.

What they’re saying:

“As a Mexican American founder of an investment firm, it is an honor to be part of Governor Pritzker’s timely trade mission to Mexico,” said Martin Cabrera, CEO of Cabrera Capital. “Trade supports over 800,000 jobs in Illinois, and our firm values businesses that support international cooperation and investments that benefit working families at home.”

The delegation’s visit will include meetings with key stakeholders in Mexico’s government and business sectors to explore opportunities for collaboration and investment.

Two lucky winners, one in Chicago and one in Aurora, each took home $250,000

If you bought a Lucky Day Lotto ticket on Wednesday, check your numbers.

Two lucky winners, one in Chicago and one in Aurora, each took home $250,000.

During the midday drawing, the two both had all five matching winning numbers: 3-8-9-31-45. One of the lucky winners purchased their ticket at a Mariano’s grocery store in Aurora. The other acquired theirs at Navkar Food Inc. in Chicago.

But the two winners aren’t the only lucky ones. The retailers who sold the tickets also cash in a $2,500 bonus- one percent of the prize money.

Out of Wednesday’s 16,700 winning lottery tickets sold, a total of $540,300 was handed out.

Winners have one year from the date of the winning draw in which to claim their prize. The Illinois Lottery encourages all lucky winners to write their name on the back of their ticket and keep it in a safe place until they’re ready to claim their prize