Office of the
Illinois Attorney General
Kwame Raoul

Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that a Cortland, Illinois woman was sentenced to probation and to pay restitution for fraudulently applying for a loan through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Savannah Ilenikhena, 34, was sentenced today by DeKalb County Circuit Court Judge Joseph C. Pedersen after pleading guilty to a Class 2 felony charge of theft. Ilenikhena was sentenced to 24 months of probation and ordered to pay full restitution of $17,455. After making a payment of $8,723 today, Ilenikhena must pay the balance of $8,722 on or before the termination of her probation.

Ilenikhena was employed by Kishwaukee College when the fraud occurred and previously held positions with DeKalb County government, including with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.   

“Federal assistance programs were vital for the survival of countless small businesses during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is unacceptable anyone would take advantage of them,” Raoul said. “I will continue to seek restitution when individuals abuse critical aid programs for their own personal enrichment.”  

According to Raoul’s office, Ilenikhena inflated business income in order to obtain a PPP loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Ilenikhena received $17,445 in May 2021 as a result of the fraudulent application.

The case was referred to the Attorney General’s office by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.

This plea is the most recent action Attorney General Raoul has taken to hold individuals accountable for fraudulently collecting government assistance related to the pandemic. Raoul’s office has prosecuted a number of individuals for PPP loan fraud and referred other investigations to the appropriate state’s attorneys for further evaluation.  

Assistant Attorney General Haley Bookhout prosecuted the case for Raoul’s Public Integrity Bureau.