Kane County Judicial/Public Safety Committee met March 11.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Call to Order
Chairperson Molina called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
| Attendee Name | Organization | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Myrna Molina | Kane County | Chairman | Remote | |
| Mark Davoust | Kane County | Vice Chair | Remote | |
| David Brown | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Michelle Gumz | Kane County | Board Member | Remote | |
| Bill Lenert | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Jarett Sanchez | Kane County | Board Member | Remote | |
| Kenneth C. Shepro | Kane County | Board Member | Late | |
| Corinne M. Pierog | Kane County | Ex-Officio County Board Chair | Absent |
2. Approval of Minutes: February 11, 2021
| RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mark Davoust, Vice Chair SECONDER: Kenneth C. Shepro, Board Member AYES: Myrna Molina, Mark Davoust, David Brown, Michelle Gumz, Bill Lenert, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro |
None
4. Monthly Financial Reports
The financial reports were attached to the agenda for review. No oral report.
5. KaneComm (M. Guthrie)
A. Monthly Report
The monthly reports were attached to the agenda for review and are on file. Dir. Guthrie gave a brief oral report. She reported hiring efforts continued at KaneComm and noted there are some newly hired tele communicators currently in training. She discussed current progress on the Motorola Starcom project as they focus on implementing the counsels and noted the intention is to go live next week.
B. Resolution: Proclaiming April 11-17, 2021 National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
Guthrie reported this resolution supported the week yearly designated for National Public Safety Telecommunicators during which telecommunicators are honored for all their hard work.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD WITH ROLLCALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 4/7/2021 9:00 AM TO: Executive Committee
MOVER: Michelle Gumz, Board Member SECONDER: Bill Lenert, Board Member AYES: Myrna Molina, Mark Davoust, David Brown, Michelle Gumz, Bill Lenert, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro |
Guthrie briefly discussed this resolution that requested an authorization for the programming of the talk groups. She acknowledged it has no additional cost to the county and has been reviewed by the state’s attorney’s office.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD WITH ROLLCALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 4/7/2021 9:00 AM TO: Executive Committee
MOVER: Jarett Sanchez, Board Member SECONDER: Michelle Gumz, Board Member AYES: Myrna Molina, Mark Davoust, David Brown, Michelle Gumz, Bill Lenert, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro |
A. Monthly Report
The monthly reports were attached to the agenda for review and are on file. Sheriff Hain acknowledged tele communicator’s week and the anniversary of the covid shutdown. He commended the work of this committee during the pandemic and acknowledged everything that has happened in the last year. He reported that Kane County still has 44 department of correction’s sentenced detainees filling an entire cell block at an estimated cost of $75 per day. He noted it is very costly to the County. He is hoping as he partners with the SAO to get this managed quickly. He reported the benefits of electronic monitoring and the successful increasing the amount of participants monthly. Hain reported the anticipated start date of the Marshall’s Prisoner Contract is set for May 1st.
Hain discussed the success of the Recovery Pod treating and recovering opioid addicts before they resume there life outside of the jail. He provided data proving the reduction of death rates for these individuals and proudly confirmed only 1 death in 2020. He briefly discussed the sheriff’s pod cast “A Sheriff and his inmates” that was picked up and would be filmed as a network special on Netflix. Filming began today.
Hain briefly discussed the return of our Chicago’s car thieves and encouraged people to not leave cars unlocked and keyed up. He discussed the success of the covid vaccine clinics that to date have administered 800 doses. He reported mobile clinics began this week. Hain noted preliminary discussions have begun with the Forest Preserve to envelop Forest Preserve deputies with the sheriff’s office resulting in an estimated savings to Kane County of $460K.
Resolution: Approving the Purchase of 10 Replacement Vehicles for the Sheriff's Office
Sheriff Hain briefly discussed the resolution as the purchase and replacement of 10 vehicles. He reported the shift of children’s waiting room funds from the court security budget utilized to fund these vehicles. Hain acknowledged they are prepared to fund next year’s vehicles as well with no request for additional funding. Member Lenert commended Sheriff Hain for his financial management.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD WITH ROLLCALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 3/31/2021 9:00 AM TO: Finance and Budget Committee
MOVER: Bill Lenert, Board Member SECONDER: David Brown, Board Member AYES: Myrna Molina, Mark Davoust, David Brown, Michelle Gumz, Bill Lenert, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro |
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD WITH ROLLCALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 3/31/2021 9:00 AM TO: Finance and Budget Committee
MOVER: Mark Davoust, Vice Chair SECONDER: Michelle Gumz, Board Member AYES: Myrna Molina, Mark Davoust, David Brown, Michelle Gumz, Bill Lenert, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro |
Sheriff Hain requested approval authorizing the reappointment of Jody Kanikula to a 4 year term with the Merit Commission.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD WITH ROLLCALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 4/7/2021 9:00 AM TO: Executive Committee
MOVER: Mark Davoust, Vice Chair SECONDER: Kenneth C. Shepro, Board Member AYES: Myrna Molina, Mark Davoust, David Brown, Michelle Gumz, Bill Lenert, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro |
A. Monthly Report
The monthly report was attached to the agenda for review. No oral report.
B. Resolution: Authorizing Establishment of State's Attorney's Office Abuse and Neglect and Domestic Violence Unit Positions
SA Mosser used a visual presentation to report the need for the authorization of items B-D. She continued addressing staffing shortages and existing staff with high case volumes. Item B supported the hiring of 1 supervising attorney and two dedicated support staffers for a proposed cost of $295,842.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD WITH ROLLCALL VO [UNANIMOUS] Next: 3/31/2021 9:00 AM TO: Finance and Budget Committee
MOVER: Jarett Sanchez, Board Member SECONDER: Bill Lenert, Board Member AYES: Myrna Molina, Mark Davoust, David Brown, Michelle Gumz, Bill Lenert, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro, Corinne M. Pierog |
Mosser requested approval for the resolution authorizing a FY21 Budget Adjustment to support the state’s attorney’s office Child Advocacy Center and Domestic Violence Unit. The resolution requested approval to hire one felony attorney, one misdemeanor attorney and 1 bilingual advocate for a proposed cost of $305,853.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD WITH ROLLCALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 3/31/2021 9:00 AM TO: Finance and Budget Committee
MOVER: Bill Lenert, Board Member SECONDER: David Brown, Board Member AYES: Myrna Molina, Mark Davoust, David Brown, Michelle Gumz, Bill Lenert, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro, Corinne M. Pierog |
Mosser requested authorization to incorporate a mental health unit in Kane County. She discussed data that reflected less petitions and treatment being generated from the county attributed to the lack of designated staff.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD WITH ROLLCALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 3/31/2021 9:00 AM TO: Transportation Committee
MOVER: Bill Lenert, Board Member SECONDER: David Brown, Board Member AYES: Myrna Molina, Mark Davoust, David Brown, Michelle Gumz, Bill Lenert, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro |
PD Conant used a visual presentation to address the committee. Conant reviewed the public defender's office’s responsibilities, duties and huge caseloads. She discussed the need for experienced attorneys to open and close cases in an efficient and timely fashion. Also, acknowledging the rise in abuse, neglect and civil proceedings. Conant reviewed the importance of the public defender's role. She stated their cases are time consuming with stacks of reports to review and do not generally close quickly remaining open for several years. Conant used a graft to highlight the increase in abuse and neglect cases reflecting a jump from 124 cases to 218 cases that alone represents the need for additional attorneys. Conant affirmed most individuals doing public service jobs do it because they want to serve the community and love their jobs. She acknowledged that current salary restraints may drive good attorneys to leave and accept other opportunities. Further discussion occurred by the committee. Vice Chair Shepro acknowledged keeping attorneys is a historical problem and commended Conant for an excellent presentation identifying and explaining the disparities these shortcomings cause.
Judge Hull reported his efforts working with Circuit Clerk Barreiro and Odyssey the software company that managed the judicial system identifying the amount of time it takes for cases to go through. He expressed his appreciation and the value of Barreiro’s input. Further discussion continued on the need for improvement. He reported the forming of a Criminal Justice Format Subcommittee that would meet and discuss the economic impact of the criminal justice bill to the County. This subcommittee’s reportings would be presented to the judicial/public safety committee when completed.
Judge Hull used a power point presentation to discuss the JJC 2nd courtroom build out. He discussed the increase of abuse and neglect filings rising from year to year causing the need for a 2nd designated courtroom. He provided a preliminary pre RFP amount of $851,548 for the buildout. He acknowledged the one time opportunity to capture and utilize covid savings for funding. He provided a projected timeline and requested approval to utilize capital funds and begin. Further discussion and questioning occurred by the committee. Chair Molina confirmed the committee’s consensus.
10. Court Services Administration (L. Aust)
A. Monthly Report
Dir. Aust gave a brief oral report. She commended our public health department.
B. Diagnostic Center Fiscal Year 2020 Recap
Dr. Tsang, Director of the Kane County Diagnostic Center used a visual presentation to give her annual report. Tseng gave an introduction for the diagnostic center highlighting their partnership with all its’ judicial partners in court services. The diagnostic center primarily provided psychological evaluations. She reported 307 evaluations were performed in 2020. Tsang discussed all evaluation categories performed by the diagnostic center and provided statistics for each.
Tsang reported the most common evaluation is fitness to stand trial. Tsang affirmed the diagnostic center remained open and continued doing evaluations face to face and by using tele health during the pandemic. Tsang discussed the Kids 1st program and its 812 participants. She reported the bi lingual program has collected $107,730K in fees. Tsang acknowledged the required continued education done by their psychologists. She reported the negative effects the lack of interns has created at the diagnostic center and the importance of filing intern and staff positions. Tsang reported the diagnostic center is a part of the court system and is responsible for creating a huge savings because these cases do not have to be outsourced.
11. Circuit Clerk (T. Barreiro)
The reports were attached to the agenda for review. Circuit Clerk Barreiro gave a brief oral report. She reviewed all the fee collection options and efforts. Barreiro reported the opening of the courts on 04/05/21 and the recreation of the EC02 System that supported judicial by IT. Barreiro reported on needed structural repairs and carpet replacements. Further discussion occurred.
12. Juvenile Justice Center (M. Davis)
The report was attached to the agenda for review. Supt. Davis acknowledged the JJC Newsletter has been forwarded to all committee members.
13. Merit Commission
The report was attached to the agenda for committee review. No oral report.
14. Coroner (R. Russell)
Coroner Russell reported a rise in deaths in all categories. Russell informed the committee the reporting of weekly covid deaths since March of 2020 to present time would be published soon for the public.
15. New Business
None
16. Place Written Reports on File
| RESULT: PLACE WRITTEN REPORTS ON FILE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Mark Davoust, Vice Chair SECONDER: Kenneth C. Shepro, Board Member AYES: Myrna Molina, Mark Davoust, David Brown, Michelle Gumz, Bill Lenert, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro, Corinne M. Pierog |
18. Adjournment
| RESULT: APPROVED WITH VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: David Brown, Board Member SECONDER: Mark Davoust, Vice Chair AYES: Myrna Molina, Mark Davoust, David Brown, Michelle Gumz, Bill Lenert, Jarett Sanchez, Kenneth C. Shepro, Corinne M. Pierog |
http://kanecountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=15&ID=2919&Inline=True
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