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

GOP candidate Bailey urges Trump to apologize to pope; bishop calls for dialogue

GOP candidate Bailey urges Trump to apologize to pope; bishop calls for dialogue

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After President Donald Trump refused to apologize for his social media criticism of Pope Leo XIV, a...
Senator says taxpayers fleeced by corrections department

Senator says taxpayers fleeced by corrections department

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Corrections is facing questions over its failure to comply with state law while...
Illinois Quick Hits: CTU-backed senator launches 'tax the rich' campaign

Illinois Quick Hits: CTU-backed senator launches ‘tax the rich’ campaign

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois legislator backed by the Chicago Teachers Union is renewing her call to tax the rich...
Lawmaker slams Illinois tuition bill favoring illegal immigrants

Lawmaker slams Illinois tuition bill favoring illegal immigrants

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, is raising concerns about a proposal he says would expand access...
will county board meeting graphic.5

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee for April 7, 2026

Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 The Will County Board Public Works & Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, moving forward a...
Illinois Quick Hits: $3M in taxpayer funds go to Chicago neighborhood center

Illinois Quick Hits: $3M in taxpayer funds go to Chicago neighborhood center

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers have provided $3 million for a new neighborhood center on Chicago’s Southwest Side. Gov. J.B....
Lincoln Way Central Softball Graphic

Lincoln-Way Central’s Late Rally Falls Short in 8-6 Loss to Homewood-Flossmoor

The Lincoln-Way Central varsity softball team mounted a furious six-run rally in the bottom of the sixth inning but ultimately fell short, losing a hard-fought 8-6 conference battle to visiting...
Lincoln Way Central Baseball Graphic

Lincoln-Way Central Outlasts Stagg 4-3 in Tense Conference Tilt

A dominant start from senior pitcher Owen Novak and early offensive execution propelled the Lincoln-Way Central varsity baseball team to a hard-fought 4-3 conference victory over visiting Stagg on Monday...
Will County Board Graphic.03

Veterans Assistance Commission Buildout Complete, Body Scanner Installed at Juvenile Center

Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Facilities Department announced the successful completion of the Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) building...
Temu, Shein hit with class actions demanding tariff refunds

Temu, Shein hit with class actions demanding tariff refunds

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Online Chinese discount marketplace giants Temu and Shein have each been hit with nationwide class action lawsuits, demanding they repay customers for...
Illinois has most government units, but consolidation brings challenges

Illinois has most government units, but consolidation brings challenges

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new report says Illinois is among the most fragmented states in the nation when it comes...
Illinois quick hits: Southwest to lay off 107 as O'Hare service ends

Illinois quick hits: Southwest to lay off 107 as O’Hare service ends

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Southwest to lay off 107 as O'Hare service ends According to an Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice, 107...
State House passes 133 bills, many potential impacts for Illinoisans

State House passes 133 bills, many potential impacts for Illinoisans

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois House of Representatives passed a total of 133 bills last week, sending them to the...
Packet_2026040714195175

Will County Survey Reveals Widespread AI Use as IT Drafts Governance Policy

Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: An internal survey revealed that nearly a dozen Will County departments are already utilizing Artificial Intelligence...
AARP_Fraud

AARP Urges Will County to Ban Cryptocurrency Kiosks Amid Exploding Senior Fraud Rates

Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: Representatives from AARP Illinois presented alarming new FBI data to the Will County Board Legislative Committee, revealing $11...