Kankakee Times

Kankakee County Criminal Justice Committee met Jan. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Criminal Justice Committee Meeting January 12, 2022

MINUTES 

Members Present 

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

Members Absent 

Mr. Sirois and Mr. Collins

In Attendance 

• Board Members 

• Department Heads 

Robert Gessner, Eric Cavender, Mike Downey, Tom Latham, Ed Pentuic, John Coughlan, Theresa Goudie, Anita Speckman, John Coghlan, Sandi Cianci

Media 

None

Call to Order 

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

Public Comment 

None

Approval of Minutes: December 15, 2021 

Mr. Hunter made a motion to approve and Mr. Long seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote. 

Judicial – Chief Judge Thomas Cunnington 

Judge Cunnington updated he committee on the Courthouse.

Circuit Clerk’s Office - Sandi Cianci 

• Monthly Report 

Ms. Cianci provided the committee with reports, there were no questions or comments.

Mr. Kerkstra made a motion to approve the report, and Mr. Swanson seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote. 

Ms. Cianci updated the committee on the progress being made with preserving the basement files.

State’s Attorney’s Office – Jim Rowe 

• Grand Jury Report

• Grand Jury Statistics Report 

Mr. Rowe reviewed the reports with the committee

Discussions were held.

Mr. Ekhoff made a motion to combine and approve the reports and Ms. Parker seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote. 

Public Defender’s Office – Ed Pentuic 

• Monthly Report 

Mr. Pentuic reviewed the report with the committee.

Mr. Long made a motion to approve, and Ms. Peters seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote. 

Probation – Tom Latham 

• Monthly Report 

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

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

Sheriff/EMA Department – Sheriff Mike Downey 

• Monthly Report

Sheriff reviewed the report with the committee. Discussions were held. Mr. Hunter made a motion to approve, and Mr. Kerkstra seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote 

• Animal Control Update

Sheriff provided the committee with an update of Animal Control.

There were no questions from the committee.

• Declaring Computer Equipment as Surplus

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

• ARPA Request for Equipment Upgrade in EOC

Sheriff reviewed the ARPA request with the committee. Sheriff stated this request is necessary for new technology and the estimated cost is $77,498.00

Discussions were held.

Mr. Ekhoff made a motion to send to the Finance Committee, and Mr. Swanson seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote. 

Sheriff updated the committee on the IDOC reimbursement for inmates that were housed at County after sentenced to IDOC.

Discussions were held.

Sheriff provided the committee with an update on HB3653. Discussions were held.

Sheriff spoke to the committee about cell phone use within the courthouse. Discussions were held.

Coroner’s Office – Bob Gessner 

• Monthly Reports 

• Monthly Receipts of Money 

Mr. Gessner was present and reviewed the reports with the committee.

Mr. Ekhoff made a motion to combine and approve, and Ms. Parker seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote. 

Coroner Gessner advised the committee that he will present an annual report at the next meeting.

11. Old Business/New Business 

 None

12. Adjournment 

Ms. Peters made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 a.m., and Mr. Kerkstra seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote. 

https://www.k3county.net/files/committees/criminal_justice_11221.pdf