Waukegan City Clerk Janet Kilkelly facing felony charges for misapplication of government funds [Video]

WAUKEGAN, Ill. — Waukegan City Clerk Janet Kilkelly faces felony charges of official misconduct and misapplication of funds in connection with providing credits to businesses that were applying for liquor and gambling licenses.

A 15-count indictment was returned Wednesday alleging Kilkelly gave thousands of dollars in credits to businesses that did not qualify for the financial support, the Lake County state’s attorney’s office said.

Kilkelly’s office and the Waukegan City Council had “repeatedly established” that the credits would solely go to businesses that were considered to be in “good standing,” the state’s attorney’s office said.

The charges were filed following an Illinois State Police investigation that began last year.

Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor said in a statement she was “disappointed” to learn of the charges.

“While I firmly believe in our justice system and due process, as mayor, I …