FRANKFORT, Ill. (WLS) — Criminal charges have now been filed against a contractor who was the subject of an ABC7 I-Team investigation. Several consumers told the I-Team they paid thousands of dollars for unfinished work.
In ABC7’s first report of 2024, multiple customers shared their experiences of hiring a south suburban contractor for incomplete jobs or poor workmanship. Now, that contractor is facing two criminal charges.
According to a Will County criminal complaint filed in December, Aaron McMann, the owner of Chi-Line Construction, faces two class-2 felony charges: one for “theft by deception” and another for “aggravated home repair fraud.” These charges are related to a complaint filed by consumer Kenneth Nading.
“I am glad he’s being charged,” Nading said. “Stealing money from an elderly disabled veteran is like taking candy from a baby and walking off with it while just laughing. I do believe he stole from me—a lot of money, $15,000.”
The criminal complaint notes that Nading paid more than $15,000 as a down payment, but McMann “failed to complete the agreed work.” After waiting two months for a basement entryway to be finished, Nading took a video of McMann and subsequently fired the contractor.
Nading was one of eight consumers who reached out to the I-Team in February 2024. All reported hiring McMann and Chi-Line Construction, only to receive incomplete jobs or poor workmanship. Payments to McMann ranged from $2,000 to more than $100,000. Some customers were able to get refunds after disputing credit card charges.
The I-Team also uncovered 15 complaints filed with the Illinois Attorney General against Chi-Line Construction. Seven of those complaints came from people featured in the I-Team’s story.
Nading said he ultimately had to hire a different contractor. “I’m 70 years old and needed a new entrance to my basement so I can get in and out of it because I had a knee replacement,” he shared.
The Will County State’s Attorney’s office confirmed that the case is scheduled for a preliminary hearing next week. McMann has not yet entered a plea.
ABC7 reached out to the contractor for comment, but he has not responded. In the initial ABC7 report, McMann declined to comment to the I-Team.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/frankfort-contractor-aaron-mcmann-chi-line-construction-charged-customers-say-he-took-thousands-unfinished-poor-work/18281232/