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

Casey Westfield School Board.2

Superintendent Warns of Transportation Funding Shortfall Despite State Budget Proposal

Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | Feb. 23, 2026 Article Summary: Superintendent Mike Shackelford updated the Board on the state's proposed FY2027 budget, highlighting a discrepancy between proposed funding and the...
Illinois municipalities push for local fuel tax as gas prices rise

Illinois municipalities push for local fuel tax as gas prices rise

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Some Illinois municipal leaders are pushing for the ability to impose local fuel taxes at a time...
What's in the bipartisan housing bill?

What’s in the bipartisan housing bill?

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. senators will vote this week on a massive bipartisan package that aims to expand housing supply and affordability for Americans. The 21st Century ROAD...
Arizona, others back birthright citizenship in amicus brief

Arizona, others back birthright citizenship in amicus brief

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes joined her fellow Democratic attorneys general from 22 other states and the District of Columbia in filing an amicus brief...
Minnesota prosecutor probes alleged federal misconduct in Metro Surge operation

Minnesota prosecutor probes alleged federal misconduct in Metro Surge operation

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A Minneosta county prosecutor has opened investigations into more than a dozen incidents involving federal agents participating in Operation Metro Surge. Hennepin County Attorney Mary...
Screenshot 2026-03-04 at 10.58.20 AM

Casey Council Implements Municipal Grocery Tax to Replace State Levy

Casey City Council Meeting | March 2, 2026 Article Summary: The Casey City Council voted to implement a 1% Municipal Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax to replace the grocery tax recently...
Detroit police notify ICE, most detainers go unenforced

Detroit police notify ICE, most detainers go unenforced

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Questions over immigration enforcement in Detroit are resurfacing after city records showed federal officials issued 63 detainers for individuals arrested by local police, but fewer...
Illinois lawmaker supports EPA rollback; AG opposes

Illinois lawmaker supports EPA rollback; AG opposes

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker is praising the Environmental Protection Agency under President Donald Trump for repealing the...
Supreme Court upholds evidence-based immigrant asylum standards

Supreme Court upholds evidence-based immigrant asylum standards

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision on Wednesday, upheld a lower court ruling that required substantial evidence for an asylum application. The case,...
Illinois Quick Hits: Report shows Illinois with highest U.S. tax rates

Illinois Quick Hits: Report shows Illinois with highest U.S. tax rates

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new survey says Illinois has the highest tax rates in the country. According to a WalletHub...

WATCH: Hegseth: U.S., Israel will soon have ‘complete control’ over Iran’s airspace

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square American and Israeli forces have begun taking control of Iranian airspace, and in a few days, it will be uncontested airspace, Secretary of War Pete...
Do No Harm claims racial discrimination in civil rights complaints against 2 health groups

Do No Harm claims racial discrimination in civil rights complaints against 2 health groups

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Do No Harm filed two individual civil rights complaints against healthcare organization Kaiser Permanente and health center CommUnityCare for offering what it describes as racially...
Clark County Graphic.6

Clark County Bans Kratom Sales in Unincorporated Areas

Clark County Board Meeting | Jan. 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Clark County Board voted unanimously to prohibit the sale, possession, and delivery of Kratom and 7-Hydroxymitragynine products within the...
Senate Judiciary confronts rise in child trafficking and sextortion

Senate Judiciary confronts rise in child trafficking and sextortion

By Emily RodriguezThe Center Square The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday heard from witnesses about the growing number of instances of child sex trafficking and exploitation. Some senators say there...

WATCH: Gov. Ferguson signaling income tax bill may be dead for session

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square Nine days remain in the 2026 legislative session in Olympia, and the proposed income tax has yet to reach the House floor and reports circulating...