Orland Township funds meant to help financially struggling township residents were allegedly embezzled by a since-fired employee to pay thousands of dollars worth of credit card and utility bills, according to an Orland Park police investigation.

Michelle Patras, 48, of Tinley Park, was charged last month with theft of government property in excess of $10,000 and continuing a financial crimes enterprise. Authorities alleged Patras stole nearly $59,000 in township funds during the more than two years she worked there.

Three unions that represent faculty and staff at City Colleges of Chicago say the college’s bargaining team will not come to the table to negotiate contracts.

The unions said they plan to picket all City Colleges of Chicago board meetings until contract agreements are reached.

Infrastructure improvements will be made in the East Riverside Boulevard corridor to accommodate future businesses such as a proposed Costco Wholesale store, but money to do so likely will not come from Winnebago County.

Loves Park had asked the county to consider complementing financial incentives the city is mulling for Spring Creek Development — subsidies that would offset infrastructure costs the developer would incur for its retail tract of land and for a 500-acre industrial park to the north. About $3.5 million is needed to fully develop the site, said Loves Park attorney Gino Galluzzo.

The Peoria Public Schools board on Monday tabled a vote to increase the annual salaries of the district’s 27 school principals so Superintendent Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat can provide members with more detailed information.

“We just received (the documents) during the executive session and I have some questions,” board member Dan Walther said after requesting the item be pulled from the consent agenda and then tabled until the next October meeting. “A couple of items don’t add up.”

Two large issues loom over the Peoria City Council going into Tuesday’s meeting: a budget deficit that threatens to impact the number of city employees and the decision on whether to look into the possible purchase of the water company.

The council will approve a committee report on the policy session held on Sept. 18, a meeting that outlined a possible shortfall of $6 million in 2019 the city is facing.