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
Illinois lawmaker calls for Aurora mayor’s resignation over alleged ICE ‘doxxing’
Beecher Video Gaming Revenues Surge in Early 2026
Will County Executive Committee Backs Funding Pursuit for $2.33 Million Harris Drive Property Buyouts
Will County Division of Transportation Requests $1 Million Increase to Highway Levy to Combat Inflation
Will County Hears Proposal to Establish County-Focused Land Bank for Distressed Properties
Letlow and Fleming headed for runoff in Louisiana U.S. Senate race
Spanberger vows to get Virginians ‘representation we deserve’
EXCLUSIVE: The Oversight Project calls for investigation into Fusus, Oak Brook contract
Will County Executive Committee Recommends 600 MW Pride of the Prairie Solar Project in 6-5 Split Vote
Beecher 200U Adopts District-Wide Cell Phone Policy, Tightens High School Discipline Steps
Europe tried wealth taxes. Most gave up.
Aging Systems and Judicial Mandates Drive Significant FY2027 Budget Requests for Will County Courts and Sheriff