Jurors will be allowed to hear testimony about Dee Ann Schippert’s alleged gambling when her case goes to trial. Kankakee County Judge Bill Dickenson ruled against a defense motion to prohibit such gambling evidence; the motion filed earlier was asking the court not to allow Schippert's gambing habit based on the belief it was not relevant in the case. The judge ruled otherwise.  The defense team for Schippert filed another motion to reconsider.  That will be heard again August 20 at 1:30 pm.

Schippert, the former Administrator of the Iroquois County Public Health District, faces 33 felony counts, including theft of government property - by deception, forgery and official misconduct. She previously pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Illinois Attorney General’s Office is prosecuting the case. 

The State evidence alleges between May 31, 2020, and July 15, 2022, Schippert filed fraudulent timesheets, while time-stamped video footage showed Schippert at gaming parlors for at least 759 hours — 260 of which were during regular business hours. The Attorney General’s Office said Schippert was paid more than $100,000 for fraudulent timesheets which claimed regular and overtime hours she did not work.  Court records also disclose Schippert is alleged to have submitted 'false representations' to the Board of Health to gain approval for overtime pay and fraudulently used COVID-19 grant funds to pay for her overtime. The State also cited Schippert's alleged "whistleblower retaliation" by firing an employee when that person brought Schippert's conduct to the attention of authorities.

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