Joseph Cook has been the mayor of Channahon, Illinois since 2003 (Channahon is southwest of Chicago). Given Illinois politics, he has likely helped his reelection campaign by admitting he committed a crime. He was sentenced yesterday to two years probation and must make restitution of $15,000 to the US Treasury.
According to the Chicago Tribune, this isn’t Mr. Cook’s first brush with financial trouble. He’s been sued by Illinois for child support, and faced four other lawsuits over financial issues. As I said, it’s just another day in politics in the Land of Lincoln.