Kankakee Times

Kankakee County Criminal Justice Committee met June 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Members Present

Mr. Hess, Mr. Long, Mr. Liehr, Mr. Snipes, Ms. Peters, Ms. Parker, Mr. Fairfield, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Ekhoff, Mr. Darrel Smith, Mr. Swanson, Mr. Kerkstra, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Kenneth Smith, Mr. Wheeler

Ms. Peters, Mr. Ekhoff and Mr. Kenneth Smith were present by Zoom

Members Absent

Mr. Collins

In Attendance

• Board Members

• Department Heads

Jim Rowe, Chief Judge Kramer, Anita Speckman, Tom Latham, Sheriff Mike Downey, Ed Pentuic, Eric Cavender, Sandi Cianci

Media

None

1. Call to Order

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

2. Public Comment

None

3. Approval of Minutes: May 14, 2021

Ms. Parker made a motion to approve the minutes, and Mr. Fairfield seconded it. Motion carried. Voting aye by zoom were Ms. Peters, Mr. Ekhoff and Mr. Kenneth Smith

There were no questions or comments regarding the minutes.

4. Judicial – Chief Judge Michael Kramer

Chief Judge Kramer spoke by zoom in regards to the case management system through Courtview. If the criminal justice system is going to be better in Kankakee County, then we need a new court management system. Chief Judge Kramer stated that while there is a plan in place to use the ARPA funding for new software, he wanted to get ahead of this and speak publicly about the need for a new system.

We are the only user of Courtview in Illinois and this causes a slow customer service response time. We are the last to get updates completed.

Chief Judge also stated that the Circuit Clerk is needing more employees to assist in getting caught up and bringing the information current.

Mr. Hunter stated that he observed the court process recently and the overload. He stated that there were many people not showing up for cases and the issues that arise from that. Mr. Hunter asked if there was a program that he suggested.

Chief Judge Kramer advised that there are several that have many users across the state and look at similar counties that are successfully integrated.

Mr. Wheeler commented on the need for software. He advised that there is still $2.5M owed on courtview.

Mr. Snipes also agreed with the frustration of courtview within the court system.

Mr. Hess advised that there couldn’t be a motion on the issue because it is not on the agenda.

Ms. Peters asked Ms. Cianci if she has reached out to other counties to see what they use.

Ms. Cianci stated that she only seen one in person, but have spoken with numerous counties about their software.

Mr. Wheeler added that this need has always been known, but financially, we couldn’t eat the cost of the old system and then buy a new one. Things have changed due to the federal funding that the county received.

Mr. Rowe stated that it will be crucial that the system talks to the law enforcement systems so it updates quickly. Mr. Rowe stated that it is not just the courthouse that is not functioning properly with that system. Mr. Rowe stated that the system needs to be up to date and if we don’t get new software, then we need to patch the old one with actual people to update it. One way or another, the information needs to be up to date.

Sheriff stated that the Circuit Clerk’s office is the hub of the Criminal Justice system and it should be considered what it will cost us liability wise on someone getting picked up on a warrant and it is incorrect because the system isn’t updated.

Chief Judge agreed with Mr. Wheeler about how the issue was identified, but with the financial opportunity in front of us, it changes what the county is able to do. It should be the focus of our efforts to improve our criminal justice system for all.

Mr. Kerkstra stated that he thinks this should be moved forward and the upgrade is needed by both the departments and the public. Technology and service to the community costs money, so we do need it.

The committee agreed that it should be handled urgently.

5. Circuit Clerk’s Office - Sandi Cianci

• Monthly Report

Ms. Cianci reviewed the report with the committee.

Mr. Liehr made a motion to approve and Mr. Swanson seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

There were no questions from the committee.

• Staffing Request

Ms. Cianci stated she has given opportunities for staff to work Saturdays twice a month. The staff has recently started working overtime at time and a half of 400+ hours of OT per month. This isn’t sustainable to continue to do this. Ms. Cianci advised that she needs 3 more clerks in order to assist in catching up.

Ms. Cianci reviewed the daily duties that arise in her office and how time consuming some tasks can be.

Ms. Cianci stated that she is requesting 3 employees for her office.

Mr. Liehr asked if she could provide documentation that shows the backlog is due to Covid. Hopefully the new software system will assist with the backlog.

Mr. Hunter asked about cross training.

Ms. Cianci advised that there are 4 staff out on medical leave and there is staff that are cross trained.

Mr. Snipes recommended a head nod and move this to Finance to discuss further.

Mr. Wheeler stated that the covid money may be able to assist with the backlog, but that is not a fixed solution.

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

• Grand Jury Report

• Grand Jury Statistics Report

Mr. Kerkstra made a motion to combine and approve, and Mr. Fairfield seconded it. Mr. Rowe reviewed the report with the committee.

Mr. Rowe advised there were 34 true bills returned from the Grand Jury and 470 felonies thru the end of May. That is a lot of felonies and the numbers are staying consistent.

Motion carried with a voice vote.

7. Public Defender’s Office – Ed Pentuic

• Monthly Report

Mr. Fairfield made a motion to approve, and Ms. Parker seconded it. Mr. Pentuic reviewed and discussed the report with the committee.

There were no questions or concerns from the committee.

Motion carried with a voice vote.

Mr. Pentuic stated that he supports the upgrading of the software for the court system.

8. Probation – Tom Latham

• Monthly Report

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

Mr. Latham reviewed and discussed the report with the committee. There were no questions from the committee.

Motion carried with a voice vote.

Mr. Latham commented on the state wanting to remotely supervise people and the effects that will have on the county. Mr. Latham stated that remote supervising will not be as effective.

Mr. Latham commented on courtview not talking with New World and the issues that arise when Courtview is not up to date.

9. Sheriff/EMA Department – Sheriff Mike Downey

• Monthly Report

Sheriff Downey reviewed the report with the committee.

Sheriff Downey spoke about no longer housing ICE detainees and the effects on the county. Sheriff stated that housing ICE detainees was not for profit, but to reduce the cost of housing local inmates.

Sheriff responded to Ms. Peters about the increase in accidents. Sheriff stated that as we continue to open up, there are more vehicles on the road with distractions increased. Traffic enforcement is not a revenue builder, but to slow people down and keep people safe.

Sheriff stated that court house traffic has increased as the covid backlog has increased the cases.

• Declaring Telephone Equipment as Surplus

Sheriff reviewed the equipment with the committee, advising that the phone equipment was replaced.

Mr. Darrel Smith made a motion to approve, and Mr. Snipes seconded it. Motion carried with a roll call vote of 14 ayes and 0 nays. Voting aye were: Mr. Hess, Mr. Long, Mr. Liehr, Mr. Snipes, Ms. Peters, Ms. Parker, Mr. Fairfield, Mr. Carrico, Mr.

Darrel Smith, Mr. Swanson, Mr. Kerkstra, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Kenneth Smith, Mr. Wheeler

• Declaring Vehicles as Surplus

Sheriff Downey reviewed the vehicles with the committee and advised that there will be more radio equipment coming to the Finance Committee.

Mr. Long made a motion to approve, and Mr. Fairfield seconded it. Motion carried with a roll call vote of 14 ayes and 0 nays. Voting aye were: Mr. Hess, Mr. Long, Mr. Liehr, Mr. Snipes, Ms. Peters, Ms. Parker, Mr. Fairfield, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Darrel Smith, Mr. Swanson, Mr. Kerkstra, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Kenneth Smith, Mr. Wheeler

• Animal Control Update

Sheriff Downey advised that the dogs are full at Animal Control. Other than that, things are going well.

Sheriff Downey stated that the Sheriff’s medical department has begun doing a discharge plan implementation which is a continuation of care for the inmate. We provide them with all the information they need to make themselves better, both mentally and physically. It lists resources, a discharge plan and medical records by request from a provider.

10. Coroner’s Office – Bob Gessner

• Monthly Reports

• Monthly Receipts of Money

Mr. Hunter made a motion to combine and approve the reports, and Mr. Liehr seconded it.

Mr. Cavender was present and reviewed the reports with the committee. Mr. Cavender stated that the number in autopsies have increased.

Ms. Parker complimented the Coroner’s office on their compassion and communication with the family and she appreciates them.

Motion carried with a voice vote.

Mr. Cavender stated that overdoses continue to be a huge concern.

Mr. Hunter asked about what his department is going to request with covid dollars.

Mr. Cavender stated that he won’t go too deep into it without Coroner Gessner, but a need list was submitted by the Coroners office. One major thing is a larger walk-in freezer.

11. Old Business/New Business

None

12. Adjournment

Mr. Kerkstra made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 a.m., and Ms. Peters seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

https://www.k3county.net/files/committees/criminal_justice_692121.pdf