Illinois Quick Hits: Ex-sheriff employee ordered to repay $35,000

February 5, 2026/

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A judge has ordered a former Cook County Sheriff’s office employee to pay more than $35,000 in restitution for forgery to obtain a Paycheck Protection Program loan during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kimberly Flowers-Watson, 59, of Chicago pleaded guilty to felony forgery and was sentenced to two years of second-chance probation.

The Illinois Attorney General’s office said Flowers-Watson forged a PPP loan application to the U.S. Small Business Administration by falsely claiming she owned a business that did not exist.

DATA CENTER MORATORIUM PROPOSED

Champaign County officials are considering a one-year ban on the development of large data centers so zoning regulations can be developed for such projects.

Planning and Zoning Director John Hall told The News-Gazette a potential project site west of Champaign was described to him as being about 300 acres, far larger than any data center the county has previously approved.

Hall expressed concerns about water consumption from the Mahomet Aquifer and energy usage.

SUPER BOWL SAFETY

The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police are joining local law enforcement departments in a Super Bowl safety campaign this weekend.

State officials are urging party-goers to make sure their designated drivers are not impaired by alcohol, cannabis or other impairing drugs and that everyone in their vehicle is wearing a seat belt.

The Super Bowl safety campaign is part of the Illinois “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket” programs that are funded with federal highway safety dollars.

Latest News Stories

Will County Health Department Faces Funding Uncertainty as Federal Grants Under Review

Multiple revenue sources threatened as department seeks legislative support for public health programs Will County Health Department officials are closely monitoring potential federal funding cuts that could impact multiple programs...

Will County Land Use Meeting Briefs

LAND USE ACTIONS Accessory Dwelling Unit Rules Modified: The committee recommended approval of text amendments allowing accessory dwelling units to exceed current building area limitations in certain circumstances. The changes...

Public Health and Safety Committee Meeting Briefs

Sunny Hill Nursing Home Tour Praised: Committee members who attended the May 9 tour of Sunny Hill Nursing Home praised the facility's condition and operations. Member Raquel Mitchell called it...

Federal Reconciliation Bill Targets Medicaid, SNAP Programs

Will County Legislators Briefed on Potential Local Impacts Federal legislation making sweeping cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs could significantly impact Will County residents and services, county legislators learned...

Will County Approves Modified $756 Million Transportation Plan Despite Terminology Debate

Will County's Public Works and Transportation Committee approved a five-year, $756 million transportation improvement plan on June 3, but not before a heated debate over whether to call it a...

Will County completes major projects while others move forward

Will County's facilities team has completed several major projects while advancing others throughout the county, officials reported during a Capital Improvements & IT Committee meeting Monday. The Old Courthouse Plaza...

Will County Accepts $140,000 Developer Donation for Road Improvements

Will County's Public Works and Transportation Committee accepted a $140,143.90 donation from a developer in lieu of constructing traffic improvements along Laraway Road. The donation comes from the Lakes Park...

State Legislative Session Wrap-Up Shows Mixed Results

Will County's state legislative priorities saw mixed results as the Illinois General Assembly concluded its spring session on May 31, with several key bills advancing while others stalled. The Legislative...

Will County expands safety initiatives across facilities

Will County has implemented new safety protocols and training programs across its facilities, including the selection of department safety monitors and participation in community health education events. Each county department...

Leglislative Committee Meeting Briefs

Federal Grant Deadline Extended: The Surface Transportation Reauthorization deadline has been extended to May 30 for policy submissions, with both House and Senate committees actively seeking stakeholder input ahead of...

Speed Limits Reduced on Two Township Roads

The committee approved new speed zones for two township roads based on engineering studies showing current limits exceed safe driving speeds. Offner Road in Green Garden Township will have a...

Will County Finance Committee Approves Juvenile Detention Center Upgrades

Committee votes to keep facility operational, moves forward with compliance modifications Will County Finance Committee members voted unanimously Monday to recommend keeping the River Valley Detention Center operational and making...

Major Grade Separation Projects Advance with Engineering Contracts

The committee approved two significant engineering agreements for major railroad overpass projects totaling over $4 million. TranSystems Corporation received a $4,003,256 contract for construction engineering services on the Lorenzo Road...

County Authorizes Condemnation for Francis Road Project

The committee authorized the State's Attorney's Office to proceed with condemnation cases for right-of-way acquisition needed for Francis Road improvements between Gougar Road and Interstate 80. Eight property parcels are...

Solar Farm Access Approved for Manhattan-Arsenal Road

The committee granted access approval for a solar farm development on Manhattan-Arsenal Road approximately 1,000 feet east of Cherry Hill Road. The MCH Solar 1 project, developed by Soltage LLC,...

« Previous
1
…
189
190
191
192
193
194
Next »