A former health honcho from Iroquois County is facing serious time after being charged with pocketing over $100,000 in bogus time sheets claims. The Illinois Attorney General’s office slapped Dee Ann Schippert, 57, with a litany of charges, including two Class X felony counts of theft that could land her behind bars for as long as 30 years. Schippert, a veteran administrator from Watseka, also faces additional felony charges and a series of accusations related to forgery and misconduct.
Attorney General Kwame Raoul stated, "Public officials who abuse their position for their own financial gain must be held accountable." This sentiment was echoed by the Illinois State Police, whose Special Investigations Unit took Schippert into custody on March 20, in Champaign. The charges are heavy, including six Class 1 felony counts of theft punishable by up to 15 years in the slammer, eight counts of forgery, and 17 counts of official misconduct. All told, the rap sheet could keep her in state accommodations for the foreseeable future.
While serving as the Iroquois Public Health administrator, a role she assumed back in 2015, Schippert is accused of fleecing the locals by turning in falsified time sheets between May 2020 and July 2022. The deception was purely for personal profit, as prosecutors claim she claimed wages for hours she never worked. An investigation spearheaded by the ISP’s Special Investigations Unit unraveled the alleged scheme she had been running.
"No one is above the law and when we learn of possible public corruption, the Illinois State Police Special Investigations Unit will be there to hold offenders accountable on behalf of the public," ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly stated. Assistant Attorneys General Mara Somlo and Haley Bookhout are handling the prosecution for Raoul’s Public Integrity Bureau. According to a report from the Illinois Attorney General's office, Schippert’s next court date is set for April 4, with all eyes on how the court will address the alleged abuse of public trust.
While the charges stack up and the evidence mounts, it is crucial to remember that Schippert, like any defendant in the United States, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The upcoming trial will be the arena in which the facts are laid bare, the extent of the alleged corruption revealed, and justice, as we hope, duly served.
