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

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

February 5, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(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.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

States pushing back on data center sales tax breaks as Wisconsin forgoes $1.5B

States pushing back on data center sales tax breaks as Wisconsin forgoes $1.5B

By Jon StyfThe Center Square While those supporting sales tax breaks for data center projects say they believe the breaks are necessary to compete for projects amongst the 38 states...
Midwest takes brunt of rising gas prices

Midwest takes brunt of rising gas prices

By David Beasley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Midwestern states, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan in particular, were hit harder in the past week by...
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago police sergeant charged with COVID relief fraud

Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago police sergeant charged with COVID relief fraud

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Chicago police sergeant has been charged with fraudulently obtaining more than $41,000 in small business loans...
Democrats hold Michigan Senate majority with special election win in District 35

Democrats hold Michigan Senate majority with special election win in District 35

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Democrat Chedrick Greene won the special election in Michigan’s 35th Senate District by a wide margin Tuesday night, preserving Democrats’ narrow majority in the chamber....
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Beecher Library Board Updates Borrowing Policy, Approves New Audio Equipment for Programs

Beecher Public Library District Meeting | March 17, 2026 Borrowing Rules Expanded: The Beecher Public Library District has broadened its borrowing policy to accept additional forms of identification and approved...
Appeals court splits over ICE detention of illegal immigrants without bond

Appeals court splits over ICE detention of illegal immigrants without bond

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A panel of federal appeals court judges continues to agree that a Chicago federal judge overstepped his authority in ordering the en...
Incumbents survive Indiana U.S. House challenges

Incumbents survive Indiana U.S. House challenges

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Incumbent U.S. House candidates from Indiana held on to party nominations Tuesday, despite intense pressure from challengers. District 4 Rep. Jim Baird survived a primary...
Incumbents survive Indiana U.S. House challenges

Incumbents survive Indiana U.S. House challenges

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Incumbent U.S. House candidates from Indiana held on to party nominations Tuesday, despite intense pressure from challengers. District 4 Rep. Jim Baird survived a primary...
Ohio voters pick candidates for November election

Ohio voters pick candidates for November election

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Ohio voters elected party representatives for governor, U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate on Tuesday. The election was the first since the Ohio legislature...
Ohio voters pick candidates for November election

Ohio voters pick candidates for November election

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Ohio voters elected party representatives for governor, U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate on Tuesday. The election was the first since the Ohio legislature...
'Project Freedom' paused while U.S., Iran try to negotiate a deal

‘Project Freedom’ paused while U.S., Iran try to negotiate a deal

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square More than a day after its implementation, “Project Freedom,” a U.S. operation to safely escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, has been put...
Colorado House votes for credit card fee reduction

Colorado House votes for credit card fee reduction

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Legislation to reduce credit card fees on purchases is a step closer to final passage in Colorado with proponents saying it will help small businesses...
Rubio confirms Epic Fury over; U.S. responding defensively in Strait of Hormuz

Rubio confirms Epic Fury over; U.S. responding defensively in Strait of Hormuz

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday afternoon that Operation Epic Fury was concluded – similar to what the president has said in his communications...
Department of Employment Security faces questions about fraud recoveries

Department of Employment Security faces questions about fraud recoveries

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security says his agency has changed its processes in...
Poll: Majority of voters dissatisfied with economy, prices

Poll: Majority of voters dissatisfied with economy, prices

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square More than half of Americans said they are at least somewhat dissatisfied with the overall economy, according to a new poll. The poll, conducted by...