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

Beecher Baseball Bobcats

Late-Inning Surge and Dominant Relief Lift Beecher Past Bloom 12-5

The Beecher varsity baseball team secured a 12-5 non-conference road victory over Bloom on Tuesday afternoon, using a combination of late-inning offensive fireworks and a lights-out relief performance by Chasten...
Democrats call on Lutnick to resign over Epstein ties

Democrats call on Lutnick to resign over Epstein ties

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Democrats in Congress on Wednesday renewed calls for U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to resign after testifying about his ties to convicted sex offender...
Beecher Softball ladycats

Norkus Strikes Out 16 in One-Hit Masterpiece as Beecher Downs Donovan 10-1

The Beecher varsity softball team rode a dominant pitching performance by senior Taylor Norkus to a commanding 10-1 home conference victory over Donovan on Tuesday. Norkus was nearly untouchable in...
Beecher Softball ladycats

Carmela Irwin Throws One-Hitter as Beecher Offense Erupts in 18-1 Rout of Donovan

The Beecher varsity softball team unleashed a relentless offensive assault on Tuesday, capitalizing on Donovan’s defensive miscues to roll to a decisive 18-1 home conference victory in a four-inning, run-rule...
Texas congressional delegation calls for federal investigation into H-1B visa fraud

Texas congressional delegation calls for federal investigation into H-1B visa fraud

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-TX, and her north Texas colleagues have called for a federal investigation into alleged H-1B visa fraud occurring in counties...
Foxx: Prosecutors’ ‘silence’ on murder exonerations doesn’t mean ‘innocent’

Foxx: Prosecutors’ ‘silence’ on murder exonerations doesn’t mean ‘innocent’

By Jonathan Bilyk | :era; NewslineThe Center Square Attorneys for one of two Mexican men who claim they were illegally coerced into confessing to helping murder a Chicago couple to...
Illinois Quick Hits: ISU union workers reach deal, return to work

Illinois Quick Hits: ISU union workers reach deal, return to work

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – More than 300 Illinois State University employees are back on the job after ratifying a new five-year...
Trump's Iran objective moves from 'surrender' to nuclear deal

Trump’s Iran objective moves from ‘surrender’ to nuclear deal

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square In seven weeks, President Donald Trump's stated objective toward Iran has shifted from "unconditional surrender" to a negotiated nuclear deal. The administration has not explained...
Democrats demand answers from Trump on consumer costs of Iran conflict

Democrats demand answers from Trump on consumer costs of Iran conflict

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With the U.S. conflict in Iran stretching past the 67-day mark, a group of senior House Democrats are questioning whether the Trump administration has any...
Illinois Dems eye $7B from new tax proposals, push ‘Billionaire Wealth Tax’

Illinois Dems eye $7B from new tax proposals, push ‘Billionaire Wealth Tax’

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – New tax proposals being considered in Springfield could bring nearly $7 billion in revenue to the state,...
Plan would have state taxpayers provide $50M for ICE-impacted businesses

Plan would have state taxpayers provide $50M for ICE-impacted businesses

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Senate is considering legislation that would provide $50 million in state taxpayer funds to businesses...
Homan threatens crackdown if New York limits ICE cooperation

Homan threatens crackdown if New York limits ICE cooperation

By Chris WadeThe Center Square President Donald Trump's immigration czar Tom Holman is renewing threats to "flood the zone" in New York if state lawmakers approve Gov. Kathy Hochul's plan...
Feds sue Colorado over ban on certain firearm magazines

Feds sue Colorado over ban on certain firearm magazines

By Derek DraplinThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against Colorado for its ban on firearm magazines that hold more than 15 rounds. The...
Group calls for clear lines of authority after UVA member’s communications released

Group calls for clear lines of authority after UVA member’s communications released

By Tate MillerThe Center Square An education defense group is calling for clear lines of authority to be codified after text messages between a University of Virginia faculty member and...
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...