Illinois quick hits: Collinsville man pleads guilty to sex abuse of children

Illinois quick hits: Collinsville man pleads guilty to sex abuse of children

Spread the love

DCFS honors scholarship recipients

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services honored 317 youth in care with a scholarship luncheon at the Crowne Plaza O’Hare in Rosemont on Friday.

This year, 317 current or former youth in care received scholarships provided by the taxpayer-funded Illinois DCFS Scholarship Program, including up to five consecutive years of tuition and mandatory fee waivers at Illinois public universities, community colleges and vocational schools.

The program also provides financial assistance for books and school supplies, a monthly grant payment to supplement other expenses and an Illinois Medicaid card.

Collinsville man pleads guilty to sex abuse of children

A Collinsville man has pleaded guilty in federal court to engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor in Nepal.

According to court documents, Kenneth Joseph Coombs, 58, traveled to Nepal and sexually abused eight different children while staying at a hotel in that country during August and September of 2016.

Upon his return to the United States, Coombs was arrested by U.S. law enforcement in September 2025.

Farm Bureau supports year-round daylight savings time

According to a spokesperson, the Illinois Farm Bureau fully supports the American Farm Bureau Federation’s policy in favor of year-round daylight savings time.

The Illinois Farm Bureau spokesperson provided The Center Square with a statement after the U.S. House passed the Sunshine Protection Act last week.

The measure to implement daylight savings time year-round is now headed to the U.S. Senate.

Sec. of State warns of ‘Mr. Finance’ solicitations

The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office has issued a new Temporary Order of Prohibition and Cease and Desist Order for an individual who was the subject of prior state securities enforcement actions.

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said Brandon “Mr. Finance” Ellington has allegedly resurfaced with a new fragrance venture.

Anyone who has been contacted by Ellington about investing in Rich Kats Designer Fragrances or any other business or investment opportunity is urged to immediately contact the Illinois Secretary of State’s Securities Department by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-628-7937.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Executive Committee for October 9, 2025

The Will County Board’s Executive Committee held a contentious meeting on Thursday, October 9, 2025, dominated by debates over public access and a controversial resolution concerning immigrant rights. A proposal...
Screenshot 2025-10-10 at 11.36.53 AM

Renovations at Veterans Assistance Commission and Court Annex on Track for Winter Completion

Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: Will County's new Veterans Assistance Commission facility in Joliet is projected to be completed by December, while...
Screenshot 2025-10-10 at 11.20.34 AM

Will County Considers First Update to Wastewater Ordinance Since 2016

Will County Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting October 2, 2025 Article Summary: Will County is preparing to update its ordinance governing private wastewater systems, with proposed changes including the...
Screenshot 2025-10-10 at 12.12.11 PM

IDOT Plans to Invest Over $1.3 Billion in Will County Roads Through 2031

Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has allocated over $1.3 billion for road and bridge projects in...
Screenshot 2025-10-10 at 11.39.54 AM

Committee Advances 50% Increase in Mental Health Levy on 4-3 Vote

Will County Finance Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Finance Committee on Tuesday narrowly approved a proposed $12 million levy for the Community Mental Health Board,...
Screenshot 2025-10-10 at 11.19.48 AM

Will County Poised to Launch Major Mental Health Initiative Based on Joliet Program’s Success

Will County Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting October 2, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee on Thursday considered establishing "Will County CARES," a...
Screenshot 2025-10-10 at 12.05.35 PM

Looming State Energy Bill Threatens to Further Limit County Control Over Solar and Wind Projects

Will County Legislative Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: A state energy bill likely to be considered during the fall veto session or next spring could further strip Will...
Screenshot 2025-10-10 at 11.52.31 AM

Controversial Immigrant Rights Resolution Postponed by Will County Board After Heated Debate

Will County Executive Committee Meeting October 9, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Executive Committee voted to indefinitely postpone a contentious resolution titled "Declaring Will County's Commitment to Ensure Communities...
Screenshot 2025-10-10 at 11.39.50 AM

Will County’s Gas-to-Energy Plant Reports Nearly $460,000 Net Loss Amid Operational Setbacks

Will County Finance Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: Will County's Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) plant at the county landfill posted a net loss of nearly $460,000 for the...
Screenshot 2025-10-10 at 11.36.47 AM

Will County to Draft First-Ever Policy on Artificial Intelligence Use

Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board's Capital Improvements & IT Committee has initiated the process of drafting a comprehensive...
Screenshot 2025-10-10 at 11.20.18 AM

Will County Sees 50% Drop in Opioid Deaths, But Alarming Rise in Suicides

Will County Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting October 2, 2025 Article Summary: Will County is experiencing a dramatic 50% reduction in opioid overdose deaths compared to last year, a...
Screenshot 2025-10-10 at 11.52.52 AM

Will County Board Backs Effort to Rename ‘Stigmatizing’ Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal

Will County Executive Committee Meeting October 9, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board has thrown its support behind a regional effort to rename the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal,...
Screenshot 2025-10-10 at 12.12.04 PM

Access Will County Dial-a-Ride on Track for Full County-Wide Service in 2026

Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting October 7, 2025 Article Summary: The Access Will County dial-a-ride program is set for a major expansion in 2026, with plans to...
WCO 2025-09-27 at 9.04.56 AM

Will County Reverses Zoning on Peotone Farmland to Facilitate 10-Acre Sale

Article Summary: The Will County Board unanimously approved a request to rezone a 10.08-acre portion of a property in Will Township back to agricultural use, reversing a 2023 zoning change....
WCO 2025-09-27 at 9.05.04 AM

County Board Abates Over $25 Million in Property Taxes for Bond Payments

Article Summary: Will County property taxpayers will be spared over $25 million in taxes for the 2026 payment year after the County Board voted to abate taxes for six separate...