Former Iroquois County Public Health administrator Dee Ann Schippert appeared, with a defense attorney, before Kankakee Judge Bill Dickenson. The defense has filed a motion to block Schippert’s alleged gambling activities from the State’s evidence in the case when its goes to trial.

Prosecutors with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office want to show a jury what defendant-Schippert was doing with her time while she claimed to be working. Prosecutors intend to present evidence that shows Schippert spent 759 hours at a video-gambling establishment in Watseka over a 20-month period. It’s time she was supposed to be working –while claiming to be performing administrative duties for the public health department.

The defense wants Schippert’s gambling ruled inadmissible, because it’s irrelevant to the case.

Schippert is alleged to have falsified time cards, charging the county $100,000 in overtime for hours she didn’t work.

She remains free from custody with pre-trial conditions. Another future court hearing is scheduled for March 18.

Schippert is facing a 33-felony count indictment, including theft of government property–by deception, 8 counts of forgery and 17 counts of official misconduct.

94.1 WGFA