Illinois museum's flag purchase sparks dispute, state probe
The flag was acquired from the collection of the late Ben Zaricor, whose interest in vexillology was sparked during his time at Washington University.
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The flag was acquired from the collection of the late Ben Zaricor, whose interest in vexillology was sparked during his time at Washington University.
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is once again under the spotlight after a manager failed to consult a collections committee before purchasing a 21-star flag whose description as a rare banner marking Illinois' 1818 admission to the Union is disputed.
The flag is known as a "Grand Luminary" because its 21 stars are arranged in the shape of a star.
The alleged thefts total more than $7 million in public funds.
CHICAGO — Illinois state employees fabricated hair salons, paid others to inaccurately fill out forms and drastically inflated income numbers for their side businesses in an effort to fraudulently receive pandemic-era Paycheck Protection Program loans, according to recently released reports from the Office of Executive Inspector General. One Department of Human Services employee said on a PPP ...