Waukegan city clerk facing felony charges for misconduct, misapplication of funds; ‘Public officials must be held to the highest standards’
Felony charges were brought against Waukegan City Clerk Janet Kilkelly by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office for alleged misconduct and misapplication of funds.
The charges come after an extensive investigation by the Illinois State Police, according to a news release from the State’s Attorney’s Office.
The city clerk is accused in a 15-count indictment for illegally providing credits to Waukegan businesses that were applying for liquor and gambling licenses, the release said.
The Waukegan City Council and Kilkelly’s office repeatedly established the credit would only go to businesses that were in “good standing,” the release said.
Despite the express language of the ordinance, Kilkelly gave thousands of dollars in credits to businesses that did not qualify for the financial support, it said.
Kilkelly was indicted on Wednesday when an Illinois State Police (ISP) special agent presented charges to, and testified before, a Lake County 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,” ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly said. “The ISP Special Investigations Unit will continue working to ensure accountability at all levels of government.”
Attempts to reach Kilkelly for a comment were unsuccessful.
Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor said the city’s corporation counsel will look into the issue, and if the charges are “personal” then Kilkelly will, “have to make a statement.”
Kilkelly’s first court date is set for April 2.
Following the indictment, State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said, “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,” he said. “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.”
In 2022, felony charges were brought against Waukegan Alderman Roudell Kirkwood related to his application for liquor and gambling licenses.
The charges were investigated and filed by the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office because Rinehart had previously represented a family member of 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.
chilles@chicagotribune.com