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

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

Spread the love

(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.

⚠️ Hydrologic Outlook issued June 16 at 2:44AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jun 15
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
72° 55°

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

💨 15 to 20 mph 💧 60%

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Pritzker: 'Need for speed' for megaprojects bill with tax breaks

Pritzker: ‘Need for speed’ for megaprojects bill with tax breaks

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says there is a need for speed when it comes to the Chicago Bears...
NYC schools probed over claims of antisemitism

NYC schools probed over claims of antisemitism

By Chris WadeThe Center Square The Trump administration is investigating claims that New York City schools violated the civil rights of Jewish students by hosting seminars on Palestinian resistance. The...
Illinois Quick Hits: AFP says tax breaks would be more at Soldier Field

Illinois Quick Hits: AFP says tax breaks would be more at Soldier Field

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Americans for Prosperity Illinois says megaprojects legislation that cleared the Illinois House could give a proposed development...
Soldier's insider trading case puts prediction markets to the test

Soldier’s insider trading case puts prediction markets to the test

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square An alleged attempt by a U.S. Army Special Forces soldier to profit from classified military intelligence on a prediction market platform has resulted in the...
U.S. will continue blockade 'as long as it takes,' Hegseth says

U.S. will continue blockade ‘as long as it takes,’ Hegseth says

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The United States will continue it's blockade in the Strait of Hormuz for "as long as it takes," War Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday....
Will County Board Graphic.03

Will County Takes Jurisdiction of Countyline Road in $1.84 Million Agreement with Kankakee County

Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board has approved a jurisdictional transfer that brings a 4.27-mile stretch of Countyline Road entirely under Will...
Will County Board Graphic.01

Green Garden Township’s Wildflower Farm Granted Third Special Use Extension

Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: Bengston Land Management, LLC secured a third extension on its special use permit to host rural events at The Wildflower...
Gori seeks quick end to asbestos fraud, lawsuit ‘bounties' case

Gori seeks quick end to asbestos fraud, lawsuit ‘bounties’ case

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The Gori Law Firm, considered America’s most prolific filer of asbestos personal injury lawsuits, has pushed back on claims it engaged in...
Texas Ten Commandments law may reach Supreme Court

Texas Ten Commandments law may reach Supreme Court

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A federal appeals court ruling upholding a Texas law requiring Ten Commandments displays in public school classrooms is setting up a potential challenge before the...
Feds reopen probe into LAUSD race-based program

Feds reopen probe into LAUSD race-based program

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has reopened an investigation into the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Black Student Achievement Plan following...
Trump won't be rushed on Iran as clock ticking for the regime

Trump won’t be rushed on Iran as clock ticking for the regime

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Time is ticking for Iran, as President Donald Trump says he won’t be rushed into giving a timeline regarding the conflict and ceasefire with Iran....
Multiple House Republicans defy proposed 3-year FISA Section 702 extension

Multiple House Republicans defy proposed 3-year FISA Section 702 extension

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square After two attempts last week to reauthorize a controversial spy power of the federal government, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has unveiled the text of...
Fetterman wants SNAP to cover hot rotisserie chicken

Fetterman wants SNAP to cover hot rotisserie chicken

By John ColeThe Center Square U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., and three of his colleagues have introduced a bill that would allow beneficiaries in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or...
Advocates warn of looming debt crisis

Advocates warn of looming debt crisis

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Advocates warned on Thursday the U.S. economy is not growing fast enough to keep pace with the national debt. Ryan Clancy, chief strategist at No...
Teens charged after FBI says plot targeting Houston synagogue, school foiled

Teens charged after FBI says plot targeting Houston synagogue, school foiled

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Two female teenagers have been charged in connection to what authorities say was a plot to commit a terrorist attack against a Jewish synagogue and...