ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CHARGES COOK COUNTY WOMAN WITH THEFT OF OVER $30,000 IN CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CHARGES COOK COUNTY WOMAN WITH THEFT OF OVER $30,000 IN CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE

June 10, 2026

Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged an Oak Park woman with defrauding the state of Illinois out of more than $30,000 in childcare assistance when she claimed her father was the childcare provider while he was actually residing in a long-term care facility.

The Attorney General's office charged Krystal May, 40, in the Cook County Circuit Court with one count theft of government property less than $100,000, a Class 1 felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison, one count of state benefits fraud and two counts of forgery, all Class 3 felonies punishable by up to five years in prison. Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. May's next court date is July 20.

"State childcare benefits provide critical support to hardworking families with financial assistance for their children's care when they need it most," Raoul said. "Abuse of this important program is unacceptable, and I appreciate our continued collaboration with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services as we seek to hold these individuals accountable."

Attorney General Raoul's office alleges that between June 2021 and June 2024, May submitted false pay earning statements and checks containing false information to obtain state childcare benefits. During this time, May falsely claimed her father was caring for her children; he had, however, been residing at a long-term facility since May 2021. She also endorsed 25 childcare benefit checks that were made payable to her father to herself, which led to May's receiving an alleged total of $31,954 from the state of Illinois.

The Attorney General's office is prosecuting this case following a referral and investigation by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services' Office of Inspector General (HFS-OIG).

"HFS-OIG is proud to have worked in partnership with the Attorney General's Office to uphold the integrity of this important program," said HFS Inspector General Brian Dunn. "We remain committed to safeguarding Illinois' childcare assistance system and ensuring the responsible stewardship of public funds."

The public is reminded the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Assistant Attorney General Renee Thibault is prosecuting the case for Raoul's Special Prosecutions Bureau.