Kankakee Times

Kankakee County Criminal Justice Committee met March 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Members Present

Mr. Hess, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Long, Mr. Hunter, Ms. Munday, Ms. Amber Turner, Mr. Lowey, Mr. Marion, Ms. Andrade, Ms. Armer-Irps, Mr. Crutcher, Mr. Nims, Ms. Denise Turner, Mr. Alexander-Hildebrand

Members Absent

Mr. Swanson, Ms. Rittmanic-Emme

In Attendance

• Board Members

Mr. Kerkstra

• Department Heads

Anita Speckman, Ed Pentuic, Eric Cavender, Bob Gessner, Judge Cunnington, Kari Laird, Tom Latham, Sandi Cianci, Teresa Goudie, Chad Gessner

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: January 15, 2025

Ms. Denise Turner made a motion to approve the minutes and Ms. Armer-Irps seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

Judicial – Chief Judge Thomas Cunnington

• Monthly Update

Judge Cunnington stated that they received approval of a tech grant application through the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts in the amount of $45,871.

Judge Cunnington stated that there has been a bill introduced in Springfield for the State to take over part or all of the Public Defender’s Office. It is in committee right now. They will keep an eye on it as it moves through the legislative process.

Circuit Clerk’s Office - Sandi Cianci

• Monthly Reports – January

Ms. Cianci reviewed the reports with the committee.

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

Ms. Cianci gave an update on the status of her computer conversion project. There are some things that they are happy with and other things that they are struggling with.

State’s Attorney’s Office – Jim Rowe

Mr. Rowe could not be at the meeting so Teresa Goudie was in attendance.

• Grand Jury Report

• Grand Jury Statistics Report

Mr. Carrico made a motion to combine and approve the reports and Mr. Hunter seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

Public Defender’s Office – Ed Pentuic

Mr. Pentuic was present to review the report.

• Monthly Report

Ms. Lowey made a motion to approve and Ms. Denise Turner seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

Mr. Hunter asked him about the State taking over his office.

Mr. Pentuic said that it is inevitable but he thinks it will not take place for a couple years while the details are worked out.

Mr. Alexander-Hildebrand presented Mr. Pentuic with a Certificate of Appreciation for his 30 years of service to the County. He thanked him for his service and dedication to our justice system.

Probation – Tom Latham

Mr. Latham reviewed this report with the committee

• Monthly Report

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

Mr. Latham stated that they have been reviewing the new legislation and will continue to meet every week on that, as well as, the budget.

Sheriff/EMA Department – Mike Downey

Chad Gessner was in attendance and reviewed the report with the committee. 

• Monthly Report

Mr. Hunter a motion to approve and Ms. Amber Turner seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

Mr. Gessner gave kudos to his investigating officers who worked long hours on a couple cases and were able to make a quick arrest.

Animal Control – Kari Laird

• Monthly Reports

Ms. Laird was present and discussed the report.

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

Coroner Office – Robert Gessner

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

• Monthly Reports

• Monthly Receipts of Money

Ms. Amber Turner made a motion to combine and approve and Ms. Denise Turner seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

Mr. Alexander-Hildebrand presented Mr. Gessner a Certificate of Appreciation for his 40 years of service and dedication to the County. He thanked him for what he has done to raise awareness of the drug epidemic in our community.

Old Business/New Business

Ms. Armer-Irps asked Mr. Gessner about Kankakee banning some type of vaping.

Mr. Gessner stated that they did and that has been one of his goals. It was one of the reasons that he ran again. It is what can be obtained outside of the dispensaries that he is concerned about. He is talking to Bradley and Bourbonnais about banning it.

12. Adjournment

Mr. Carrico made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:56 a.m. and Ms. Amber Turner seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

https://www.k3county.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03122025-2165