Illinois quick hits: Collinsville man pleads guilty to sex abuse of children

Illinois quick hits: Collinsville man pleads guilty to sex abuse of children

Spread the love

DCFS honors scholarship recipients

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services honored 317 youth in care with a scholarship luncheon at the Crowne Plaza O’Hare in Rosemont on Friday.

This year, 317 current or former youth in care received scholarships provided by the taxpayer-funded Illinois DCFS Scholarship Program, including up to five consecutive years of tuition and mandatory fee waivers at Illinois public universities, community colleges and vocational schools.

The program also provides financial assistance for books and school supplies, a monthly grant payment to supplement other expenses and an Illinois Medicaid card.

Collinsville man pleads guilty to sex abuse of children

A Collinsville man has pleaded guilty in federal court to engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor in Nepal.

According to court documents, Kenneth Joseph Coombs, 58, traveled to Nepal and sexually abused eight different children while staying at a hotel in that country during August and September of 2016.

Upon his return to the United States, Coombs was arrested by U.S. law enforcement in September 2025.

Farm Bureau supports year-round daylight savings time

According to a spokesperson, the Illinois Farm Bureau fully supports the American Farm Bureau Federation’s policy in favor of year-round daylight savings time.

The Illinois Farm Bureau spokesperson provided The Center Square with a statement after the U.S. House passed the Sunshine Protection Act last week.

The measure to implement daylight savings time year-round is now headed to the U.S. Senate.

Sec. of State warns of ‘Mr. Finance’ solicitations

The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office has issued a new Temporary Order of Prohibition and Cease and Desist Order for an individual who was the subject of prior state securities enforcement actions.

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said Brandon “Mr. Finance” Ellington has allegedly resurfaced with a new fragrance venture.

Anyone who has been contacted by Ellington about investing in Rich Kats Designer Fragrances or any other business or investment opportunity is urged to immediately contact the Illinois Secretary of State’s Securities Department by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-628-7937.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Debt confidence hits two-year low amid affordability concerns

Debt confidence hits two-year low amid affordability concerns

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Americans' confidence in the nation's finances fell to a two-year low in May as the national debt again surpassed the size of the U.S. economy,...
Candidates debate healthcare for Nevada primary

Candidates debate healthcare for Nevada primary

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Editor's note: This is part of a series previewing the congressional and statewide races in the Nevada primary election, set for June 9. The election...
ExxonMobil shareholders approve plan to redomicile to Texas

ExxonMobil shareholders approve plan to redomicile to Texas

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square ExxonMobil shareholders on Wednesday approved the board of directors’ plan to redomicile the company's legal headquarters to Texas. Shareholders also rejected a proposal made by...
U.S., Iran may be on the cusp of tentative ceasefire extension

U.S., Iran may be on the cusp of tentative ceasefire extension

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A memorandum of understanding has been reached between U.S. and Iranian negotiators, pending approval from President Donald Trump and Iranian leadership, according to reports. The...
Pritzker indicates he'll sign new insurance regulations

Pritzker indicates he’ll sign new insurance regulations

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expected to sign two bills headed to his desk that give the state...
Election 2026: For one of the four seats, trouble brews

Election 2026: For one of the four seats, trouble brews

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Texas hasn’t elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1988, Kentucky since 1992, Louisiana and North Carolina since 2008. Respectively, outgoing Republican Sens. John...
Treasury reveals how to sign up for Trump Accounts on new app

Treasury reveals how to sign up for Trump Accounts on new app

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the launch of the Trump Accounts app Thursday, kicking off the registration process for citizens and permanent residents...
Republicans claim fake transparency in early budget, demand better

Republicans claim fake transparency in early budget, demand better

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – At the height of state budget negotiations, Republican lawmakers have said Democrat leaders have again pulled their...
Ceasefire in question as U.S. accuses Iran of violations

Ceasefire in question as U.S. accuses Iran of violations

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The future of the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran has come into question following the second exchange of fire between the countries in less...
Supreme Court rules against prison sentence reductions

Supreme Court rules against prison sentence reductions

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in two separate cases on Thursday, ruled against convicted individuals seeking to reduce their prison sentences. The high court ruled in...
Illinois may take DOJ ‘Anti-Weaponization’ payouts from residents

Illinois may take DOJ ‘Anti-Weaponization’ payouts from residents

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker wants to create a law that would allow the state to take any funds...
Supreme Court rules in favor of racially biased jury claims

Supreme Court rules in favor of racially biased jury claims

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision on Thursday, ruled in favor of an Black man convicted of capital murder in Mississippi, who said...
Poll: Voters have unfavorable opinions of Owens, Shapiro, Kirk, Pratt

Poll: Voters have unfavorable opinions of Owens, Shapiro, Kirk, Pratt

By Jon StyfThe Center Square American taxpayers have a heavily unfavorable opinion of Candace Owens, Ben Shapiro and Erika Kirk but Los Angeles Mayor candidate Spencer Pratt was barely underwater...
Illinois Quick Hits: Waukegan official charted with casting dead mother's ballot

Illinois Quick Hits: Waukegan official charted with casting dead mother’s ballot

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Waukegan alderman has been arrested and charged with a felony after she allegedly used her dead...
Top Illinois diversity commissioner did not disclose side pay

Top Illinois diversity commissioner did not disclose side pay

By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- The chairperson of Illinois' diversity commission has been earning thousands of dollars each year from her former...