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* From December…
Investigators seized a work cellphone belonging to the Waukegan city clerk and executed a search warrant at the Waukegan City Hall as part of a criminal investigation.
The Illinois State Police obtained the warrant on December 13 in Lake County Circuit Court. […]
Kilkelly told the aldermen the phone was seized as part of an investigation of former 4th Ward Alderman Roudell Kirkwood.
Turns out, Kilkelly was indeed a target.
* Press release…
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office brought charges of felony official misconduct and misapplication of funds against Waukegan City Clerk Janet Kilkelly after an extensive investigation by the Illinois State Police.
Kilkelly is accused in a 15-count indictment of illegally providing credits to Waukegan businesses that were applying for liquor and gambling licenses. The City Council and her own office repeatedly established that the credit would only go to businesses that were in “good standing.” Despite the express language of the ordinance and Kilkelly’s own recommendation to the City Council, Kilkelly gave thousands of dollars in credits to businesses that did not qualify for the financial support.
Kilkelly was indicted on March 13, 2024, when an Illinois State Police special agent presented charges to and testified before a Lake County State’s Attorney grand jury.
“The public must be able to trust that those who work in public service will follow the law and use our tax dollars as intended,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly. “The ISP Special Investigations Unit will continue working to ensure accountability at all levels of government.”
After the indictments were filed in a Lake County court, State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart stated, “Public officials must be held to the highest standards. I want to thank the Illinois State Police for their diligent, thorough, and fair investigation into this matter. Taxpayers lost a significant amount of revenue. The City Clerk violated the public trust when she ignored her own recommendation and the final decision of the Waukegan City Council.”
The case will be prosecuted by Chief Kevin Berrill and ASA Russell Caskey of the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office Financial Crimes & Public Integrity Unit. The Unit worked with the Illinois State Police on the case throughout 2023 and 2024.
In 2022, felony charges were brought against Waukegan Alderman Roudell Kirkwood related to his application for liquor and gambling licenses. Those charges were investigated and filed by the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office because State’s Attorney Rinehart had previously represented a family member of Alderman Kirkwood. The Illinois State Police, Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Lake County State’s Attorney Office concluded that no conflict existed with Lake County charging Kilkelly.
Kilkelly’s first court date is April 2, 2024, in T-510, at 9:00AM.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Mar 14, 24 @ 1:09 pm
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===The City Council and her own office repeatedly established that the credit would only go to businesses that were in “good standing.” Despite the express language of the ordinance and Kilkelly’s own recommendation to the City Council, Kilkelly gave thousands of dollars in credits to businesses that did not qualify for the financial support.===
So wait, there’s not a kick back? I hope the prosecution has a lot of evidence that supports she was treating the credit like Oprah treats a minivan and not a case of where they were awarded in error.
There are a whole lot of folks in state government that are involved in using public funds other than they are intended. I don’t know if that alone should be criminalized, so I hope as the story unfolds we’re going to see a lot more patties added to this burger.
Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Mar 14, 24 @ 1:25 pm
“Alderman Roudell Kirkwood… Waukegan City Clerk Janet Kilkelly…Waukegan City Hall as part of a criminal investigation”
Both are proud members of the Tenth Congressional District Democrats.
https://tenthdems.org/elected-officials/
Comment by Donnie Elgin Thursday, Mar 14, 24 @ 1:26 pm
And by the Lake CountyState’s Attorney. I guess locals ( excluding Cook County) can police their own.
Comment by Sue Thursday, Mar 14, 24 @ 1:37 pm
Wow. I hope that there’s more to this than what’s in the press release. Without more, this sure looks like a petty and unconvincing indictment, an argument over what constitutes “good standing” under the ordinance.
Comment by Duck Duck Goose Thursday, Mar 14, 24 @ 2:12 pm
Waukegan is a nice place with kind people who deserve stewardly leadership.
Comment by Macon Bakin Thursday, Mar 14, 24 @ 3:04 pm
wow Donnie Elgijn You got the scoop of the day, this is worth a Pulitzer for sure…
Comment by Someone You shoudl Know Thursday, Mar 14, 24 @ 6:36 pm