Illinois Quick Hits: Ex-nonprofit exec sentenced for state, federal grant fraud

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A former Chicago-area nonprofit executive has been sentenced to a year in federal prison for misappropriating nearly $1.9 million through a pair of fraud schemes.

Prosecutors say Barbara Harris, 55, of the Center for Community Academic Success Partnerships schemed with another executive to defraud the Illinois Department of Education out of about $1.8 million.

In a separate case, Harris worked for South Suburban Community Services and bilked the federally-funded AmeriCorps VISTA program out of $98,699.

OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING IN BRADLEY

Illinois State Police are investigating a fatal, officer-involved shooting that happened in Bradley on Wednesday afternoon.

Police say Bradley officers responded to a well-being check and encountered a man with a bladed weapon, who continued to advance on officers and disobeyed orders to stop. The officers discharged their weapons at the suspect, who was pronounced dead at an area hospital.

HOUSE PASSES HIGH SCHOOL VOTER REGISTRATION BILL

The Illinois House has passed legislation requiring public high schools to offer students of voting age the opportunity to register during the school day.

State Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet, D-Chicago, said House Bill 4339 is inspired by the vision of Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., who said graduation should mark a young person’s full entry into civic life.