Former state Rep. Connie Howard was sentenced Dec. 8 to three months in jail for fraud committed while in office, according to the United States Attorney's Central District of Illinois Office in Springfield.
Howard, who served her South Side district during 1995-2012, will also be confined to her home for three months following her release from jail. She will also have to pay restitution in the amount of $15,900 to the Chicago Urban League and $12,450 to the Black United Fund, Chicago.
In July 2013, Howard admitted that, during 2003-2007, she solicited about $76,700 to go towards scholarships for persons in need who were looking to enter technology fields. But only five such scholarships, totalling about $12,500, were created, and about $28,000 went toward Howard's political and personal use.
In 2012, a former aide to Howard, Lloyd Kelly, was indicted under seal for spending $217,000 of funds intended for HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness for his own personal use. Howard was not named in Kelly's indictment, but it did make reference to a "Public Official A" who benefitted from the spending; Howard was the board chairwoman of Kelly's organization, Let's Talk Let's Test. Kelly is still awaiting trial.