TAYLORVILLE, Ill. – Patty A. Hornbuckle, the former CEO of the Taylorville Chamber of Commerce, has pleaded guilty to theft/deception charges in the amount between $500 and $10,000. The embezzlement charge involving a larger sum was dismissed.
Hornbuckle, aged 63 at the time of her arrest, has been sentenced to second chance probation for 24 months. This probation sentence, unique to Illinois, provides offenders the opportunity to clear their conviction from their record after successfully completing the probation period.
The investigation began when the Chamber of Commerce contacted the Taylorville Police Department with allegations of misconduct and theft. It was revealed that Hornbuckle had resigned from her position in 2021 after being questioned by Chamber members regarding these allegations.
After conducting an investigation, police gathered enough evidence to obtain an arrest warrant, leading to Hornbuckle’s arrest. She was held at the Christian County Jail and later released after posting a $10,000 bond.
