Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a former Iroquois County public health administrator with allegedly submitting fraudulent time sheets to the Iroquois County Public Health Board claiming to have worked hours she did not actually work, valued in excess of $100,000.
Raoul’s office charged Dee Ann Schippert, 57, of Watseka, with two counts of theft of government property, Class X felonies punishable by up to 30 years in prison; six additional Class 1 felony counts of theft of government property, each punishable by up to 15 years in prison; eight counts of forgery, Class 3 felonies punishable by up to five years in prison; and 17 counts of official misconduct, Class 3 felonies each punishable by up to five years in prison. Sentences are ultimately determined by the court and can run concurrently. Schippert’s next court date is April 4.
“Public officials who abuse their position for their own financial gain must be held accountable,” Raoul said. “I would like to thank the Illinois State Police for their assistance in investigating this case. My office will continue to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to investigate and hold accountable government employees who take advantage of the trust their communities have placed in them.”
Beginning in 2015, Schippert was the Iroquois Public Health administrator. Prior to that, she had more than 20 years of experience working with the Iroquois County Public Health Department. While in the administrator role, Raoul’s office alleges from May 2020 to July 2022, Schippert knowingly deceived the government by misrepresenting to the Iroquois County’s Board of Health how much work and what type work she did. This included submitting multiple fraudulent timesheets claiming regular and overtime work hours she did not actually work. Raoul alleges that, as a result, Schippert was paid more than $100,000 she should not have received.
The Illinois State Police’s (ISP) Special Investigations Unit investigated this case and arrested Schippert March 20 in Champaign.
"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," said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly.
The public is reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Assistant Attorneys General Mara Somlo and Haley Bookhout are prosecuting the case for Raoul’s Public Integrity Bureau.
