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.
Latest News Stories
State Legislative Session Update: Transit, Energy Bills Stall Despite Democratic Control
County Board Approves 2026-2031 Transportation Plan Despite Project Opposition
Contentious I-3 Rezoning for DuPage Township Storage Yard Narrowly Advances
Will County Legislative Committee July 1 Meeting Briefs
County Moves Forward with $200.8 Million Bond Refinancing Plan
Access Will County Dial-a-Ride Program Sees Record Growth, Eyes Expansion
Will County to Launch New Public Meeting Agenda System in August Amidst Data Conversion Concerns
Green Garden Township Poised for First Major Subdivision in Years After Rezoning
County RNG Facility Shows Strong Performance Despite Solar Challenges
PZC Briefs: Solar Farm in Crete, Post-Fire Permit for Troy Business, and More
In Brief: Capital & IT News
Will County Finance Committee July 1 Meeting Briefs
Will County Public Works Committee Juliy 1 Meeting Briefs
Prairie State College Braces for Potential Federal Cuts to TRIO Student Support Program