In a significant development stemming from an ABC7 I-Team investigation, criminal charges have been brought against a contractor from Frankfort, Illinois. This follows numerous complaints from consumers who claim they paid substantial amounts for work that was either left unfinished or poorly executed.
Back in early 2024, several dissatisfied clients came forward, sharing their frustrations with ABC7. They reported paying a south suburban contractor for jobs that fell short of expectations. Now, this contractor, Aaron McMann, owner of Chi-Line Construction, finds himself facing serious legal repercussions.
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According to a criminal complaint filed in Will County in December, McMann is charged with two class-2 felonies. These include “theft by deception” and “aggravated home repair fraud.” The charges are directly linked to a grievance from consumer Kenneth Nading.
Nading, who is an elderly disabled veteran, expressed his relief at the charges being filed. “I am glad he’s being charged,” he stated. “Stealing money from an elderly disabled veteran is like taking candy from a baby and walking off with it and just laughing… I do believe he stole from me, a lot of money, $15,000.”
The complaint highlights that Nading provided a down payment exceeding $15,000, with McMann subsequently failing to fulfill the agreed-upon work. This case underlines the importance of accountability and consumer protection in the contracting industry.
The criminal complaint notes that Nading paid more than $15,000 for a down payment, and that McMann “failed to complete the agreed work.”
Nading took a video of McMann and fired the contractor, he said, after waiting two months for a basement entryway to be finished. He was one of eight consumers who reached out to the I-Team in February of 2024.
They all said they hired McMann and Chi-Line Construction, and say they got incomplete jobs, or poor workmanship, after paying McMann anywhere from $2,000 to more than $100,000. Some people did get money back after disputing credit card charges.
The I-Team also uncovered 15 complaints filed with the Illinois Attorney General against Chi-Line Construction. Seven were from the people in the I-Team’s story.
Nading says he ended up having to hire a different contractor.
“I’m 70 years old and I needed a new entrance to my basement so I can get in and out of it, because I had a knee replacement,” Nading said.
The Will County State’s Attorney says the case was scheduled for a preliminary hearing next week. McMann has not yet entered a plea. ABC7 reached out to the contractor, and he has not yet responde.
In ABC7’s first report, he declined to comment to the I-Team.
