Updated on Friday, July 10 at 1:05 p.m. CT
Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) and her husband, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons, have released statements denying any wrongdoing after the two were indicted by a federal grand jury on counts of wire fraud and obstruction of justice.
The indictment alleges Rep. Ammons used her campaign fund and leveraged state grants in order to enrich herself and her family members. It also claims Clerk Ammons conspired with his wife to obstruct a federal investigation into the alleged fraud.
In a statement, Rep. Ammons said she understands the news is concerning to her constituents and community members.
“I want to be clear: I have done nothing wrong, and I strongly disagree with the allegations outlined in this indictment,” Ammons wrote. “I have complete confidence that the facts will demonstrate my innocence, and I intend to vigorously defend myself through the judicial process.
“I ask for patience as the legal process unfolds, and I remain confident that the facts will ultimately speak for themselves” she added later in the statement.
Rep. Ammons is running for reelection unopposed in 2026. She represents Champaign-Urbana in the 103rd district.
One part of the indictment alleged Rep. Ammons helped secure grant funding for the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center (UCIMC), where her daughter later worked as a digital marketing coordinator.
The UCIMC released a statement saying it received the grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, claiming no issues were flagged by the department.
“UCIMC chose to contract with Tatianna Ammons to support incubator participants in creating and improving their websites and digital marketing. Tatianna Ammons was selected due to her experience in the subject area. The selection of Tatianna Ammons was transparent and approved by our board of directors; her selection was in no way influenced by Representative Ammons,” the organization wrote.
In his statement, Clerk Ammons also pushed back against the allegations.
“I want to state emphatically that I am not guilty of any such offenses,” he wrote. “I will work with my retained attorney to mount a robust defense against the charges levied against me and I am confident that the facts will prove my innocence.
He said he will continue to serve in his role as county clerk while the legal process plays out.
“Rest assured, I am as committed to serving the people of Champaign County as I was the day I became a community organizer and the day I took my first oath of office,” he wrote. “As the case works its way through the judicial process, I will continue to serve as your County Clerk and maintain my commitment to fair, free, and accessible elections.”
Clerk Ammons is also running for reelection this year. His Republican challenger, Alan Anderson, said in a statement he wants to see the case run its course.
“In our justice system, everyone is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law,” Anderson wrote. “My campaign is not about personal attacks. It is about accountability, competence, and restoring confidence in the Champaign County Clerk’s Office.”
The full statements from both Rep. Ammons and Clerk Ammons’ statements are copied below.
Statement from State Representative Carol Ammons:
On July 8, 2026, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against me. I recognize that this news is deeply concerning to the people I have the privilege of serving, my supporters, my colleagues, and my community. Public service is built on trust, and I do not take that responsibility lightly.
I want to be clear: I have done nothing wrong, and I strongly disagree with the allegations outlined in this indictment. I have complete confidence that the facts will demonstrate my innocence, and I intend to vigorously defend myself through the judicial process. Because this matter is now before the courts, I will not litigate the facts through the media. I have great respect for our judicial system, and I am confident the legal process will provide the appropriate forum for the truth to be established.
Serving this community has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Every decision I have made in public office has been guided by my commitment to improving the lives of the people I represent, and that commitment remains unchanged today.
To everyone who has reached out with prayers, encouragement, and words of support, thank you. Your kindness has meant more than you know during this incredibly difficult time for me and my family. I remain committed to serving the people of this district with integrity and transparency while this process moves forward. I ask for patience as the legal process unfolds, and I remain confident that the facts will ultimately speak for themselves.
With Gratitude, Representative Carol Ammons
Statement from Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons:
On July 8, 2026 I learned of the federal indictment accusing me of obstruction of justice offenses. I know this is deeply concerning for citizens of Champaign County, and as a public servant with the awesome privilege of serving you, I have a duty to respond to these allegations.
I want to state emphatically that I am not guilty of any such offenses. I will work with my retained attorney to mount a robust defense against the charges levied against me and I am confident that the facts will prove my innocence.
Since the matter is in the judicial system, I will not respond to any questions pertaining to the case or attempt to clear my name through the media. I will rely on my attorney and the judicial system to do that, and I know the truth will prevail.
I have served this community in various capacities for over two decades and I will continue to do so. I am motivated by participatory democracy, improving access to the ballot box for all eligible voters, justice and equity for all. That will never change.
Thank you all for your phone calls, text messages, and prayers, it means the world to me and my family at this time. While this matter is sorted through the slow and methodical legal process, I ask for your patience. Rest assured, I am as committed to serving the people of Champaign County as I was the day I became a community organizer and the day I took my first oath of office.
As the case works its way through the judicial process, I will continue to serve as your County Clerk and maintain my commitment to fair, free, and accessible elections.
In Service to You,
Aaron Ammons
Original story from July 8 at 1:31 p.m. CT
A federal grand jury has indicted State Representative Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) and her husband, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons.
The indictment charges the two with counts of wire fraud, obstruction of justice and false statements. It alleges Rep. Ammons created a scheme to “defraud the State of Illinois” and enrich herself and her family members.
The full indictment is included below.
The document claims the representative improperly used her political campaign fund to pay her daughter and filed “materially false” forms to the Illinois State Board of Elections to conceal an unethical use of campaign funds.
The indictment states Rep. Ammons also redirected state grant funding to organizations so her daughter could be paid from them. It also claims she took actions to receive illegal cash payments or “kickbacks” from other organizations.
The indictment also names her husband, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons. It states he misled witnesses and conspired with his wife to obstruct a federal investigation into the alleged fraud.
IPM News reached out to Rep. Ammons’ office for comment but has not heard back.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Clerk Aaron Ammons said he has no comment, citing the ongoing investigation in the federal legal case.
In a statement, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch called the allegations “extremely serious.”
“Every person under our system of justice is entitled to the presumption of innocence and due process,” Welch said. “The U.S. Attorney will lay out evidence in court, where Representative Ammons will have the chance to defend herself against the allegations.
“In the interest of upholding the integrity of the House and ensuring we can continue our important work without distraction, I am taking the following actions immediately while this case is pending: I am temporarily removing Representative Ammons from any and all House Democratic Caucus meetings, from all House committees, and from accessing Speaker’s Office staff and resources. Additionally, I directed my staff to review the budget to determine whether any funds need to be paused or reconsidered.”
Editor’s Note: Rep. Ammons supported state funding for “Teen Summit 2.0: The Remix,” a youth media initiative partially produced by Illinois Public Media. The funding was not provided directly to IPM, and the initiative is not named in the indictment.