Bianchi Collects on Bad Checks

The following press release was received from the office of McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi:

$100,000 in Bad Checks Collected

State’s Attorney Louis A. Bianchi is very pleased to announce that the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Check Enforcement Program has now collected over $100,000 for business owners in McHenry County.

State’s Attorney Bianchi created the in-house Check Enforcement Program on February 19, 2007 for a two-fold purpose.

  • He wanted to assist McHenry County businesses in the collection of bad checks they have received that have such a damaging effect on the abilities of small business owners in particular, to operate successfully.
  • Additionally, State’s Attorney Bianchi wanted to assist law enforcement in the detection and effective prosecution of this criminal activity.

The Check Enforcement Program offers offenders a one-time chance to make good on bad checks they have passed to merchants and requires that they complete an at-home course designed to both teach better fiscal responsibility and to discourage further criminal violations.

In the event restitution and compliance is not received promptly, the matter is turned over to the police. Law enforcement’s job is easier because the crime is still relatively fresh and evidence is more easily obtained. As a result, the Check Enforcement Program also acts as a deterrent to those who would commit a criminal act by passing a bad check which again helps businesses in the long run remain viable.

“While we wish that there were no bad checks to collect at all in this County, the fact that we have been successfully able to collect over a $100,000 for local businesses is a significant benefit to local business owners who have monies they might not have otherwise recovered., Bianchi said.

To date, about 100 McHenry County businesses have benefited from this program.


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