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

Lawmaker criticizes surplus spending bill

Lawmaker criticizes surplus spending bill

By Catrina Baker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A proposal aimed at helping local governments manage retiree health care costs is drawing differing views...
Student suspended for pro-ICE flyer while NEA spends $1.7M to help anti-ICE protests

Student suspended for pro-ICE flyer while NEA spends $1.7M to help anti-ICE protests

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A student at Torrey Pines High School in San Diego was suspended after posting a pro-Immigration and Customs Enforcement flyer reading, “We [heart] ICE –...
Beecher Graphic.1

Joyride Derails Initial Beecher Fourth of July Raffle Car Bid, Board Approves Backup Vehicle

Village of Beecher Board of Trustees Meeting | March 23, 2026 Article Summary: The Village of Beecher had to pivot on its traditional Fourth of July raffle car purchase after...
Washington Township Graphic.3

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Washington Township Board of Trustees for February 2, 2026

Washington Township Board of Trustees Meeting | February 2, 2026 The Washington Township Board of Trustees met on Monday, February 2, 2026, to address multiple local initiatives, including mental health...
Salvation Army rehab ‘enrollees’ who work at thrift stores aren’t ‘employees’

Salvation Army rehab ‘enrollees’ who work at thrift stores aren’t ‘employees’

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A few days after agreeing to let them proceed with their class action against one of America's most prominent charities under labor...
Evers vetoes bills to exempt overtime, cash tips from income tax

Evers vetoes bills to exempt overtime, cash tips from income tax

By Jon StyfThe Center Square Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers vetoed a pair of bills Friday that would have exempted overtime pay and cash tips from state income taxes. Assembly Bill...
Illinois housing affordability efforts pit tax cuts against new spending

Illinois housing affordability efforts pit tax cuts against new spending

By Sean ReedThe Center Square As homeownership may be growing out of reach for many young residents, Illinois lawmakers are split between trimming taxes and growing state programs. Republicans are...
Report: AAMC’s claims that patients are better treated by doctor of same race debunked

Report: AAMC’s claims that patients are better treated by doctor of same race debunked

By Tate MillerThe Center Square A new report from medical group Do No Harm debunks claims of the benefits of racial concordance, or the matching of doctors’ and patients’ races,...
Coloradans react to ruling against ban on conversion therapy

Coloradans react to ruling against ban on conversion therapy

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Coloradans have mixed reactions to this week's U.S. Supreme Court ruling against the state's ban on conversion therapy for the LGBTQIA+ community. At issue in...
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago city workers owe more than $19M

Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago city workers owe more than $19M

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago city workers reportedly owe more than $19 million in traffic tickets, water bills and fines, yet...
Attorney expects conversion therapy ruling to impact Illinois ban

Attorney expects conversion therapy ruling to impact Illinois ban

By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square Illinois’ ban on conversion therapy may be challenged in the near future. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8-1 against a similar prohibition in...
White House govt funding request for 2027 cuts $73 billion

White House govt funding request for 2027 cuts $73 billion

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The White House proposes a dramatic increase in defense spending in fiscal 2027 while significantly reducing spending in other departments, according to its budget submission...
Dems sue over Trump's executive order on mail-in ballots

Dems sue over Trump’s executive order on mail-in ballots

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Democratic officials from 23 states and the District of Columbia announced Friday they're suing to block President Donald Trump’s recent executive order regulating mail-in and...
GAO again warns Congress about nation's 'unsustainable fiscal path'

GAO again warns Congress about nation’s ‘unsustainable fiscal path’

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A federal watchdog warned Congress on Friday about the nation's mounting fiscal dangers, urging lawmakers to address what it called an "unsustainable fiscal path." The...
Millionaire’s tax proposal draws mixed reviews as deadline approaches

Millionaire’s tax proposal draws mixed reviews as deadline approaches

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Supporters of a 3% surcharge on income more than $1 million have less than a month to...