Saturday, December 28, 2024
Friday, December 27, 2024
Current Status of the Julie Bliss felony case
35 - Status hearing
01/23/2025
10:00 A.M.
Judge PACCAGNINI
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Thursday, August 31, 2023
Boone County Clerk arrested on theft of public funds
Boone County Clerk Julie Bliss faces theft, misconduct charges
https://www.wifr.com/2023/08/31/boone-county-clerk-julie-bliss-faces-theft-misconduct-charges/
Boone County Clerk and Recorder Julie Bliss, 53, was arrested on August 31, 2023.(23 WIFR)
Published: Aug. 31, 2023 at 4:49 PM CDT|Updated: 2 hours ago
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BELVIDERE, Ill. (WIFR) - Boone County Clerk and Recorder Julie Bliss, 53, was arrested Thursday following an investigation by Illinois State Police.
Bliss is charged with theft of government property and official misconduct.
The charges come after a months-long investigation.
According to a news release from Boone County, an employee in the clerk’s office reported “irregularities” in two of the office’s bank accounts. The release says the information was presented to leaders in April.
Boone County officials called the Illinois State Police and contracted accounting firm Silkich, LLP, to assist in the investigation.
In a statement to the media, the county said “the misuse of public funds is an abuse of power and a violation of the public trust that will not be tolerated. The Boone County Board and Boone County Administration are fully committed to cooperating with the Illinois State Police and with Sikich, LLP, in order to provide the public with a full, accurate, and transparent accounting of the outcome of this investigation, and to restore the public’s trust in our County officials.”
If convicted, Bliss could face more than 10 years in prison, however county leaders say both charges could also carry sentences of probation only.
This story is developing and will be updated as information is confirmed.
Copyright 2023 WIFR. All rights reserved
Above is from: https://www.wifr.com/2023/08/31/boone-county-clerk-julie-bliss-faces-theft-misconduct-charges/
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Boone County Clerk and Recorder Arrested on theft of government property
- Ethan Wiles
- Aug 31, 2023 Updated 1 hr ago
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In April of 2023, an employee of the Boone County Clerk’s Office reported irregularities that she had discovered in two of the County Clerk’s bank accounts.
BELVIDERE — Boone County Clerk and Recorder Julie Bliss was arrested on Thursday according to a press release from Boone County Board Chairman Rodney Riley.
The release states Bliss, 53, of Belvidere, was arrested on one count of Theft of Government Property, a class 2 felony, and one count of Official Misconduct, a class 3 felony.
In April of 2023, an employee of the Boone County Clerk’s Office reported irregularities that she had discovered in two of the County Clerk’s bank accounts.
Upon receiving that report, Boone County officials immediately notified the Illinois State Police, and took appropriate steps to ensure fiscal oversight of the Clerk’s office during the course of the investigation.
Additionally, the County contracted with Sikich, LLP, an accounting firm, to assist the Illinois State Police in the investigation, and to make recommendations with respect to ensuring the future fiscal integrity of the Boone County Clerk’s Office.
The release also states that The Boone County Board and Boone County Administration are fully committed to cooperating with the Illinois State Police and with Sikich, LLP, in order to provide the public with a full, accurate, and transparent accounting of the outcome of this investigation, and to restore the public’s trust in their County officials.
A class 2 felony is punishable by 3 to 7 years in the Department of Corrections.
A class 3 felony is punishable by 2 to 5 years in the Department of Corrections.
Although the maximum penalty for each charge is a prison sentence, both charges are also eligible for probation pursuant to Illinois statute.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be filed.
Posted by bill pysson at 6:36 PM No comments: 
Friday, October 13, 2023
Boone County Clerk faces 100 year prison sentence if convicted
Rockford-area official faces more than 100 years in prison on several charges
Story by Rockford Register Star •2h
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has charged Boone County Clerk and Recorder Julie Bliss after she was accused of stealing funds from the county for personal expenses.
Raoul's office filed a 26-count indictment against Bliss, 53, of Belvidere.
The indictment alleges that, while serving as county clerk and recorder, Bliss stole money from the county and used a Boone County credit card to pay for personal expenses, including purchasing groceries and tires for her personal vehicle and paying off personal debt.
“Elected officials have an obligation to use government funds and property responsibly,” Raoul said in a news release. “Taxpayers must be able to trust that those who serve on their behalf will use their authority for the public good and not to enrich themselves.”
Here's a look at the charges Bliss faces:
- One count of Class 1 felony theft of governmental property, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
- Three counts of Class 2 felony theft of governmental property, each punishable by up to seven years in prison.
- One count of Class 1 felony theft of governmental property by deception, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
- Three counts of Class 2 felony theft of governmental property by deception, each punishable by up to seven years in prison.
- Five counts of Class 3 felony wire fraud, each punishable by up to five years in prison.
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In addition, Bliss faces 13 counts of Class 3 felony official misconduct, each punishable by up to five years in prison. These misconduct charges are related to her alleged acts of theft and wire fraud.
Illinois State Police began investigating Bliss for her alleged misconduct in April 2023 after an employee with the county clerk's office reported irregularities that she had discovered in two of the County Clerk’s bank accounts.
Bliss was placed on administrative leave last month.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford-area official faces more than 100 years in prison on several charges
Above is from: Rockford-area official faces more than 100 years in prison on several charges (msn.com)
Posted by bill pysson at 2:53 PM No comments:
Monday, September 11, 2023
Boone County Clerk now on administrative leave
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Rockford-area official placed on administrative leave following theft, misconduct charges
Story by Rockford Register Star •5h
The Boone County Clerk's office will host a coin flip Friday afternoon to determine the winner of the primary election for Alderman of Ward 2.© PHOTO PROVIDED
A Boone County official has been placed on administrative leave after she allegedly stole from the government.
Julie Bliss, the county clerk and recorder, was charged with theft of government property and official misconduct last month.
More: Rockford-area official arrested, charged with theft of government property
An investigation into Bliss began in April 2023 after an employee with the county clerk's office reported irregularities that she had discovered in two of the County Clerk’s bank accounts.
Related video: Illinois county clerk arrested, charged with theft of government property (WQRF Rockford)
ISP started investigating using an outside accounting firm,
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Illinois county clerk arrested, charged with theft of government property
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Bliss was arrested and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The county has hired Sikich, LLP, an accounting firm, to assist the Illinois State Police in the investigation.
Bliss entered an agreement with the county on Sept. 5 to go on administrative leave.**
Theft of government property is a Class 2 felony while official misconduct is a Class 3 felony. Bliss faces up to 12 years in prison on the charges.
The investigation is ongoing.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford-area official placed on administrative leave following theft, misconduct charges
Above is from: Rockford-area official placed on administrative leave following theft, misconduct charges (msn.com)
** BASEDS ON CHANNEL 13 NEWS this is paid administrative leave.
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Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Will Senator Dick Durbin run again
SEE Click on the following: Illinois Sen. Durbin yet to decide if he will seek another term | STLPR
Monday, December 16, 2024
“Bye” to Dodge Lanes “Hello” to Chipotle?
BELVIDERE, Ill. (WTVO) — Chipotle may be coming to Belvidere, along with a new Starbucks location.
Developer MH Bradley LLC., of Kankakee, has filed an Application for Special Use with the city to buy and raze the Dodge Lanes bowling alley, at 1940 N. State Street, to make way for the two restaurants and a third, future operator.
The entire story at: Is Chipotle coming to Belvidere?
Thursday, December 12, 2024
Dixon’s Comptroller jail sentence commutted
President Joe Biden commutes sentences for two of Chicago area’s most notorious fraudste
By Jason Meisner | jmeisner@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
UPDATED: December 12, 2024 at 3:00 PM CST
President Joe Biden on Thursday commuted the sentences of two of the Chicago area’s most notorious fraudsters: former Dixon Comptroller Rita Crundwell, who embezzled nearly $54 million from the tiny town to fund a lavish lifestyle, and Eric Bloom, the onetime leader of a Northbrook management firm who defrauded investors of more than $665 million.
The decisions in the clemency petitions for Crundwell and Bloom were announced by the White House as part of a massive list of some 39 pardons and 1,499 commutations. Biden’s orders do not wipe out their felony convictions, but end their sentences immediately.
The White House said the commutations were for people released from prison and placed on home confinement during the coronavirus pandemic.
Crundwell, 71, pleaded guilty in 2012 to what authorities then called the largest municipal fraud in the country’s history, admitting she stole $53.7 million from the city over more than a decade and used the money to finance her quarter horse business and lavish lifestyle.
She was sentenced in 2013 to nearly 20 years in federal prison. In April 2020, Crundwell had petitioned a federal judge for early compassionate release based on her poor health and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I have done everything in my power to be a ‘model inmate.’ To work as hard as I can and have never complained about my conditions here or the pay we receive,” Crundwell wrote. “There is never a day that goes by, I do not regret my crime.”
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She’d served about eight years behind bars before being released in 2021 to a halfway house in Downers Grove, U.S. Bureau of Prisons records show. Crundwell would have completed her sentence in October 2028.
Bloom, meanwhile, the onetime head of Sentinel Management Group, was convicted by a jury in 2012 in what was billed by prosecutors at the time as the largest single financial fraud in the history of Chicago’s federal court.
Monday, December 9, 2024
Solar Farm on Belvidere Landfill
New community solar project on former Belvidere landfill benefits small businesses, local government
December 9, 2024 at 12:39 pm Kevin Haas
- By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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BELVIDERE — A new community solar project that brings more than 9,600 panels to a former landfill along Illinois Route 76 will benefit small businesses and Boone County government facilities with energy savings.
Representatives of power utility ComEd, solar developer Ameresco, the Illinois Commerce Commission and Boone County officials gathered Monday morning to celebrate the project as it wraps up its final installations before going online.
“In addition to the environmental benefits, this project will help support both the local government and the local economy,” said Gil Quiniones, president and CEO of ComEd. “Given the project was built on the site of a former landfill, this is also an example of promoting sustainable land use.”
The former landfill, which was closed in 1992, is near the northeast corner of Illinois Route 76 and Squaw Prairie Road north of the Boone County Fairgrounds. The last couple hundred of 9,658 panels on 34 acres of land are being installed now. The total generation capacity will be 3.5 megawatts.
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Community solar projects allow for subscribers to benefit from energy savings generated by the solar array, which is connected to the ComEd energy grid. Subscribers earn credits on their electric bill and can see their costs reduced by up to 10% annually, according to ComEd.
All subscriptions for this project are now filled, said Paul Raducha, senior director of solar development for Ameresco.
“A lot of counties should look at their landfills and brownfields and access that,” he said. “It’s a really logical move for the development of solar on land, and it’s providing them with income.”
A new community solar project features more than 9,600 panels on a former landfill along Illinois Route 76 north of Squaw Prairie Road in Boone County. It’s shown on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Boone County is subscribing to approximately 36% of the energy generated, supporting county facilities including animal services, public safety and corrections. There are also multiple small- and mid-sized local businesses subscribing, Quiniones said.
“I realize that mid-December may seem like a funny time to celebrate a solar project, but these solar panels can still generate electricity in freezing temperatures and even when they’re covered by a light layer of snow,” he said. “The transition to a lower carbon energy system will only succeed if we are able to continue to deliver power reliably and in a way that is resilient to severe weather conditions.”
There are now 160 active community solar sites in ComEd’s 11,400-square-mile region serving more than 30,000 customers, Quiniones said.
This solar project has been in the works since 2017, when it was initiated by former County Administrator Ken Terrinoni, said Karl Johnson, chairman of the Boone County Board. It broke ground in August after years of preparations.
Boone County will benefit from the revenue it generates through property taxes and land-use agreements, as well as about $20,000 a year in savings on energy costs, Johnson said.
Most importantly, Johnson said, the project made productive use of a former landfill rather than being built on farmland.
“We’ve been able to bring all the things to our community without taking quality farmland out of production,” Johnson said. “Boone County is a farming community and we take the use of our farmland very seriously.
“We encourage the state to look to use the landfills and other brownfield locations as ideal opportunities for solar projects instead of farmland.”
ComEd and Ameresco on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, gathered to celebrate a new community solar project at Illinois Route 76 and Squaw Prairie Road in Boone County. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Original article available with photos at: New community solar project on former Belvidere landfill benefits small businesses, local government | Rock River Current
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
Thursday, December 5, 2024
Bidden “asked” for many more preemptive pardons
Biden White House Is Discussing Preemptive Pardons for Those in Trump’s Crosshairs
Jonathan Martin
Wed, December 4, 2024 at 3:03 PM CST·5 min read
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 26: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks from the Rose Garden at the White House on November 26, 2024 in Washington, DC. Biden spoke on the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
President Joe Biden’s senior aides are conducting a vigorous internal debate over whether to issue preemptive pardons to a range of current and former public officials who could be targeted with President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House, according to senior Democrats familiar with the discussions.
SEE the rest of the story: https://www.yahoo.com/news/biden-white-house-discussing-preemptive-210346549.html
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