Kankakee Times

Kankakee County Criminal Justice Committee met Jan. 15.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Members Present

Mr. Hess, Mr. Liehr, Ms. Dunbar, Mr. Smith, Mr. Fairfield, Mr. Ekhoff, Mr. Carrico, Ms. Zuccollo, Mr. Long and Mr. Kerkstra

Members Absent

Mr. Byrne, Mr. Snipes Ms. Parker, and Mr. Swanson

In Attendance

 Board Members

Mr. Wheeler

 Department Heads

Sheriff Mike Downey, Jim Rowe, Robert Gessner, Tom Latham, Wes Andrews, Anita Speckman, Kevin Duval, Sandi Cianci, Kari Laird and Ed Pentuic

Media

None

1. CalltoOrder

The meeting was called to order by the Committee Chairman, Mr. Hess at 7:30 a.m.

2. PublicComment

Reverend Doug Zimmerman of Kankakee spoke regarding the ICE contract

3. Approval of Minutes: December 11, 2019

Mr. Ekhoff made a motion to approve the minutes, and Mr. Fairfield seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote

4. Judicial – Chief Judge Michael Kramer

The Chief Judge was not present.

5. Circuit Clerk’s Office - Sandi Cianci

Ms. Cianci reviewed and discussed the reports with the committee.

 Monthly Report

 Computerization Update

Mr. Carrico made a motion to combine and approve the monthly report, and Ms. Zuccollo seconded it.

There was no discussion or questions from the committee.

Motion carried with a voice vote.

Ms. Cianci updated the committee on the departments staffing needs. Ms. Cianci stated that there were approximately 465 cases per day for the year.

There were no questions or comments from the committee.

6. State’s Attorney’s Office – Jim Rowe

 Grand Jury Report

 Grand Jury Statistics Report, December 2019

Mr. Ekhoff made a motion to combine and approve the report and Mr. Smith seconded it.

Mr. Rowe reviewed and discussed the reports with the committee.

There were no questions or comments from the committee.

Motion carried with a voice vote.

Mr. Rowe stated that March 14th is the Laugh for a Cause fundraiser for Harbor House and he encourages everyone to attend.

Mr. Rowe stated that Child Network needs funding help, he will be bringing this back to committee to ask for help. With the changes in legislature, it took out the ability to assist funding for the Child Network. This is an advocacy center to assist the children within our area and it is crucial to the prosecution of these cases.

7. Public Defender’s Office – Ed Pentuic

 Monthly Report

Mr. Fairfield made a motion to approve the report and Mr. Liehr seconded it.

Mr. Pentuic reviewed and discussed the report with the committee.

Motion carried with a voice vote.

8. Probation – Tom Latham

 Monthly Report

Mr. Long made a motion to approve the monthly report, and Mr. Carrico seconded it.

Mr. Latham reviewed and discussed the report with the committee. There were no questions or comments from the committee. Motion carried with a voice vote.

9. Sheriff/EMA Department – Sheriff Mike Downey  Monthly Report

Ms. Dunbar made a motion to approve the monthly report, and Mr. Ekhoff seconded it.

Sheriff Downey reviewed and discussed the report with the committee.

Motion carried with a voice vote.

 2020 Laws Affecting Law Enforcement

Sheriff Downey stated that a few of the laws that have changed are:

Senate bill 2090- This law makes voting available to those in custody. Previously, this was by request only. Now, this service has to be made available.

House bill 2276 – Law states that you cannot smoke in the car with someone under the age of 18. The issue with this is that an officer is unable to stop a vehicle that they witness smoking with a child in the vehicle. The officer would have to stop the vehicle for something else.

House Bill 2040 – This took effect prior to January 1st and disallows the use of private facilities in the State of Illinois.

Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act has been in effect since January 1st and the effects of this new law will show overtime.

 Adoption of 10 Shared Principles

Sheriff Downey distributed the 10 shared principles to the committee. Sheriff stated that this is something that they have done, but would like this agreement to be passed on to the full board for approval.

Mr. Smith made a motion to approve, and Mr. Fairfield seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

 Animal Control Update

Sheriff Downey stated that it was requested that Kari Laird is introduced to the committee. Kari Laird stated that the transition has been smooth and there are animals available for adoption.

10. Coroner’s Office – Bob Gessner  Monthly Reports

 Monthly Receipts of Money

Mr. Ekhoff made a motion to combine and approve the monthly reports and monthly receipts, and Mr. Smith seconded it.

Mr. Gessner reviewed and discussed the reports with the committee.

Motion carried with a Voice Vote.

• Declaring Equipment as Surplus

Mr. Gessner advised that there is x-ray equipment that is no longer utilized after going digital.

Ms. Zuccollo made a motion to approve, and Ms. Dunbar seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

Mr. Gessner stated that he is appreciative of the way community came together to assist in the farming accident that recently occurred. The rescue assistance came from our surrounding community and also outside of our community. Mr. Gessner stated that it was impressive the way everyone came to together.

11. Old Business/New Business

None

12. Adjournment

Ms. Dunbar made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:09 a.m., and Ms. Zuccollo seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

http://www.co.kankakee.il.us/files/committees/criminal_justice_11520.pdf