Island Lake's ex-clerk says she's innocent

The former Island Lake village clerk accused of destroying computer files pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Lake County Circuit Court.

Christine Becker, 54, faces a maximum of five years in prison if convicted of official misconduct and computer tampering.

Assistant State's Attorney Christen Bishop said Becker, who was clerk from 2001 to 2005, is charged with deleting crucial village computer files in her office April 7, 2005, two days after she was defeated in a bid for re-election.

The files included budgets, committee assignments and correspondence with other government agencies and officials, Bishop said.

Becker was arrested in June as part of the same investigation that saw former mayor Charles Amrich charged with official misconduct.

Officials said Amrich, who served as mayor from 1985 to 2005, steered all fuel purchases and maintenance on village-owned vehicles to a service station he owned.

The criminal charge is based on an allegation that between 1993 and 2005, Amrich failed to list his ownership of the station on statements of economic interest he was required to file.

He is scheduled to appear in court today for arraignment.