Ex-Island Lake mayor's wife pleads not guilty to theft charges

The wife of former Island Lake mayor Thomas Hyde pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges she collected from the village more than $100,000 in pay she did not earn.

Sharon Hyde faces a mandatory prison sentence of six to 30 years if she is convicted of theft of government property.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Christen Bishop said Hyde was paid at least $114,000 for hours she did not work as director of the village-run Creative Playtime Preschool.

She is also charged with making false entries and official misconduct in the case, which Bishop said involves her employment from 1999 to this year.

Village officials have allowed her to remain in the post despite the charges.

Thomas Hyde, who was acquitted last month of forgery and official misconduct charges involving his handling of a village liquor license, is charged with voting to approve the payments to his wife.

He is scheduled to be arraigned on charges of official misconduct and having a prohibitive interest in contracts Aug. 6.

The couple's attorney, Charles Smith, has said Sharon Hyde was a salaried employee of the village, and state law allows her husband to vote to pay her.

Circuit Judge John Phillips told Sharon Hyde she must appear in court Sept. 10.