Aug. 28--A West Chicago woman is expected to turn herself in this weekend to serve a 60-day jail sentence for stealing money from two school organizations where she volunteered.
Tracy Kotke, 45, pleaded guilty Friday in DuPage County court to one count of misdemeanor theft, prosecutors said.
She was charged with stealing almost $14,000 from the Indian Knoll School PTO in West Chicago District 33, and another $1,500 from a district PTO preschool group. Kotke was treasurer for both volunteer groups, according to authorities.
The thefts took place in 2014, and a grand jury indicted her in February. Kotke told authorities that she took the money because she was having financial troubles.
Under the terms of her negotiated plea, Kotke will serve the county jail sentence and will be placed on two years' probation. She also must repay the preschool PTO group; Kotke has already made restitution to the Indian Knoll PTO, prosecutors said.
Ward is a freelance reporter.
