Illinois Quick Hits: Ex-East St. Louis librarian sentenced for fraud, theft

Illinois Quick Hits: Ex-East St. Louis librarian sentenced for fraud, theft

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – The former director of the East St. Louis public library has been sentenced to 15 months in prison and ordered to pay $102,249 in restitution after she pleaded guilty to embezzling money from the library and from the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Kenyada T. Harris, 42, pleaded guilty in March 2026.

Prosecutors say Harris used the library’s credit card for her personal gain and used LINK cards for herself, family members and friends while she was employed at the St. Clair County Family Community Resource Center.

FOREIGN NATIONAL PLEADS GUILTY TO FIRING SHOTS NEAR BORDER PATROL AGENTS IN CHICAGO

A Mexican citizen who was in the United States illegally has pleaded guilty to a federal firearm charge after prosecutors said he fired shots near U.S. Border Patrol agents in Chicago in November.

Hector Gomez, 46, had previously been convicted of a felony firearm offense in Cook County and was prohibited under federal law from possessing a gun.

Sentencing is July 20.

SIX MEN INDICTED FOR WINNETKA HOME INVASION

A federal grand jury in Chicago has indicted six men on robbery and kidnapping offenses after an alleged home invasion in Winnetka last month.

Government attorneys say the men forcibly entered the residence, used firearms to keep an individual captive for about an hour, and demanded access to a safe and access to online accounts holding cryptocurrency.

Charges are forthcoming against a seventh defendant.

REPORT: BEARS ARE SIXTH-PRICIEST SPORTS TEAM FOR FANS

A report says the Chicago Bears are the sixth most expensive sports team in the world for fans to follow.

ForesightSports.com examined yearly expenses for tickets, stadium food and drinks, streaming subscriptions and jerseys. The annual total for Bears fans came in at $3,009.

The New York Knicks topped the list at $4,274, followed by the Detroit Lions at $4,011. The report said major league ticket prices are up 25% over the last three years.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Will County Board Graphic.01

Will County Public Works Debates Future Bridge Needs as 159th Street Closure Looms

Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | February 3, 2026 Article Summary: A discussion regarding the future deck repair of the 159th Street bridge in Lockport sparked a debate about...
Will County Board Graphic.02

Capital Imp Committee: Veterans Assistance Commission Set to Move into New Facility

Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | Jan. 6, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) is scheduled to move into its new headquarters at...
will county board meeting.6

Capital Imp Committee: Health Dept Elevator Repair Costs Significantly Lower Than Estimates

Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | Jan. 6, 2026 Article Summary: A malfunctioning elevator at the Will County Health Department has been repaired for approximately $18,000 to...
will county board graphic

Legislative Committee Adopts 2026 Federal Legislative Agenda

Legislative Committee Meeting | February 3, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Legislative Committee finalized and approved the 2026 Federal Legislative Agenda, outlining the county's top priorities for Congress. The...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Jackson Township Board for December 10, 2025

Jackson Township Board Meeting | December 10, 2025 The Jackson Township Board met on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, to handle end-of-year financial business and hear reports from township officials. The...
Will County Finance Logo

Will County Treasurer’s Investment Strategy Yields $6 Million in Income

Finance Committee Meeting | February 3, 2026 Article Summary: County Treasurer Tim Brophy and investment managers from Stifel presented a detailed review of the county’s investment portfolio to the Finance...
Screenshot 2026-02-04 at 2.02.55 PM

Lobbyists Outline Strategy for Federal Funding and Grundy County Expansion

JJC Trustees Workshop Meeting | January 28, 2026 Article Summary: Representatives from Point of Difference Strategies updated the JJC Board on efforts to secure state and federal funding for key...
Screenshot 2026-02-05 at 2.20.35 PM

Route 52 Closures Approved for Irish Fest Parade

Manhattan Village Board Meeting | Feb. 3, 2026 Article Summary: The Village Board authorized the closure of U.S. Route 52 and Manhattan-Monee Road to accommodate the annual Irish Fest Parade....
Will County Board Graphic.04

Capital Imp Committee Debates ‘Human Factor’ in Drafting New Artificial Intelligence Policy

Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | Jan. 6, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Capital Improvements and IT Committee launched a comprehensive discussion on creating a...
Jackson Township Graphic.1 NEW

Highway Commissioner Reports Surge in Winter Salt Usage

Jackson Township Board Meeting | December 10, 2025 Article Summary: Highway Commissioner Walsh reported that Jackson Township has already surpassed the total salt usage of the entire previous year due...
Screenshot 2026-02-05 at 2.20.35 PM

Manhattan Village Board Selects Vendor for Four-Year Landscaping Contract

Manhattan Village Board Meeting | Feb. 3, 2026 Article Summary: The Manhattan Village Board on Tuesday approved a four-year contract with Latinos Landscaping, LLC to manage the village’s outlying planting...
HBO MAX

HBO Max Orders Cop Drama Pilot ‘American Blue’ to Film in Joliet

Article Summary: HBO Max has ordered a pilot for a new police drama titled "American Blue," with production scheduled to begin in Joliet and Chicago this April. Starring Milo Ventimiglia...
Screenshot 2026-02-04 at 2.02.55 PM

JJC Administration Proposes Tuition Increase Amidst Future Budget Concerns

JJC Trustees Workshop Meeting | January 28, 2026 Article Summary: Joliet Junior College (JJC) administration presented a three-year financial plan that relies on a proposed $3 per credit hour tuition...
Will County Board Graphic.03

Will County Public Works Advances $1.9 Million Improvement for Wilmington-Peotone Road

Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | February 3, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee has authorized a nearly $2 million contract for Phase I...
Will Dial-A-Ride Service

Will County Public Works: Access Will County Dial-a-Ride Expands to All 24 Townships, Eliminating Borders

Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | February 3, 2026 Article Summary:In a major overhaul of county transit, officials presented a quarterly report confirming that the Access Will County Dial-a-Ride...