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

DMV small businesses also bear brunt of Congress’ budget brawl

DMV small businesses also bear brunt of Congress’ budget brawl

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square As Congress convenes for a rare Sunday session amid the ongoing shutdown, the capital region’s small business owners wait with baited breath. Besides federal workers,...
Legal experts split over state, federal immigration control

Legal experts split over state, federal immigration control

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The second Trump administration has been largely defined by strict immigration enforcement and net zero illegal border crossings. Amid the enforcement, legal policy analysts are...
Thousands of flights delayed, cancelled as shutdown rocks airports

Thousands of flights delayed, cancelled as shutdown rocks airports

By Dan McCalebThe Center Square More than 1,400 flights within, into or out of the U.S. were cancelled Sunday and more than 3,300 were delayed as staffing levels at airports...
Trump: Americans to receive $2,000 each from tariff revenue

Trump: Americans to receive $2,000 each from tariff revenue

By Dan McCalebThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Sunday said every American with the exception of the wealthy will receive $2,000 from the revenue the U.S. has collected from...
Casey Council Meeting Graphic.2

City Hall Remodel Plans Move Forward for Public Bidding

Casey City Council Meeting | November 03, 2025 Article SummaryPlans to remodel the front office of Casey City Hall are advancing after the City Hall Committee finalized a new design....
Taxpayer costs rise as U.S. mounts pressure campaign against Venezuela

Taxpayer costs rise as U.S. mounts pressure campaign against Venezuela

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump's plans for Venezuela could cost U.S. taxpayers more each day as the military's most expensive aircraft carrier arrives. The president says the...
Large naval presence in Caribbean ahead of Ford arrival

Large naval presence in Caribbean ahead of Ford arrival

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square As the number of suspected narcotic transport boats destroyed by the U.S. military grows, so does the number of naval vessels in the Caribbean. Secretary...
Voting rights group warns CA redistricting push could undermine trust in IL

Voting rights group warns CA redistricting push could undermine trust in IL

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (THE CENTer Square) – California Gov. Gavin Newsom is urging states like Illinois to redraw congressional maps, but voting rights...
Chicago downtown office space vacancy rate jumps to record high levels

Chicago downtown office space vacancy rate jumps to record high levels

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With Chicago’s downtown office vacancy rate now at a record-high 28%, Illinois Policy Institute researcher LyLena...
Screenshot 2025-11-06 at 7.53.07 AM

Casey’s Comprehensive Plan Nears Completion, Public Hearing Set

Casey City Council Meeting | November 03, 2025 Article SummaryThe City of Casey's comprehensive plan update is nearly finalized following a second open house, with a public hearing scheduled for...
Federal court backs union on feds' partisan emails

Federal court backs union on feds’ partisan emails

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A federal judge ruled Friday that the Trump administration violated employees’ First Amendment rights by allegedly hijacking their email accounts to send automated partisan messages...
Senate Democrats propose new govt. funding deal; Republicans reject it

Senate Democrats propose new govt. funding deal; Republicans reject it

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square After nearly six weeks of continuously blocking Republicans’ bill to end the ongoing government shutdown, Senate Democrats have modified their funding counterproposal. Instead of demanding...
Trump administration will fully fund SNAP despite appeal

Trump administration will fully fund SNAP despite appeal

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Trump administration said Friday afternoon that it would fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for November, despite the funding lapse and government shutdown....
Report: Princeton ranked best university, best school overall

Report: Princeton ranked best university, best school overall

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Princeton University claimed the nation's top spot for universities and best school overall in WalletHub's 2026 Best Colleges rankings. The WalletHub report analyzed 800 higher-education...
Trump blasts cost overruns at Obama Presidential Center in Chicago

Trump blasts cost overruns at Obama Presidential Center in Chicago

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago is back in the mind of President Donald Trump, but this time the commander-in-chief’s focus is...