Illinois Quick Hits: Ex-sheriff employee ordered to repay $35,000
(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.
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Derailment disrupts train service for Chicago, New York, Washington, Miami
Democratic candidates focus on national politics in campaign for U.S. Senate
Chicago posts fewest homicides since 2016, arrests rate also declines
Illinois quick hits: Prosecutors charge two more in Tren de Aragua case; Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee meets today; Illinois Little League team loses in World Series
Report: Human Rights Campaign pressures transgender procedures on minors
Everyday Economics: Housing market and Fed policy in focus in the week ahead
Executive Committee Considers $12,000 Strategic Planning Initiative with University of St. Francis
Businesses brace for new tax challenges amid global tariff focus
Illinois takes over health insurance marketplace in 2026 amid skepticism
WATCH: IL state reps challenge IEMA-OHS responses to local agencies
Judge expands restraining order against ‘Beto’ O’Rourke, adds ActBlue
Executive Committee Members Decry Roadside Litter, Call for Action Against Garbage Haulers
