Government Center

719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A

Geneva, IL 60134

Kane County

KC Judicial/Public Safety

Committee

Meeting Minutes

MOLINA, Lenert, Gumz, Linder, Roth, Tepe, Williams & ex-officio Pierog (County Chair)

Thursday, September 12, 2024

9:00 AM

County Board Room

Call To Order

Chairman Molina called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM.

Roll Call

Board Member Myrna Molina

Board Member Bill Lenert

Board Member Bill Roth

Board Member Vern Tepe

PRESENT

Board Member Michelle Gumz

Board Member Michael Linder

Board Member Rick Williams

REMOTE

ABSENT

Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog

Also present: Co. Bd. Members Berman*, Juby*, Lewis*; KaneComm Dir. Guthrie; OEM

Dir. Buziecki; Sheriff Hain & Undersheriff Johnson & staff Directo; Coroner Russell*;

Chief Judge Villa; Court Admin. O'Brien & staff Mathis; State's Attorney Mosser* & staff

Hunt*, Shepro; Public Defender Conant; Court Srvs. Exec. Dir. Aust & staff Tsang, Hill,

Ocon,; Circuit Clk. Barreiro; ITD CIO Lasky* & staff Peters; and members of the press

and public.

Remote Attendance Requests

Chairman Molina announced the remote attendance requests for today's meeting. She

asked the Committee if there were any objections to Committee Members Gumz and

Linder attending today's meeting remotely. There were no objections.

Approval of Minutes: August 15, 2024

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Bill Roth

Public Comment

None.

Chairman Molina requested that the Committee move to agenda item 15C: Probation

Officer of the Year. The Committee agreed.

Monthly Financial Reports

Monthly Finance Reports

Chairman Molina stated the monthly financial reports were on file. No additional

report was made.

Merit Commission

None.

KaneComm (M. Guthrie)

Monthly Report

KaneComm Guthrie stated the monthly report was on file. She reported that

calls of service remain steady, but there was an increase of approximately 700

phone calls in August. The increase in phone calls could be contributed to a

large emergency incident that brought in multiple phone calls, but accounted for

only one call for service.

Authorizing a Radio Tower Agreement with the Village of Maple Park

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Bill Roth

MOVER:

Bill Lenert

SECONDER:

Myrna Molina, Bill Lenert, Michael Linder, Bill Roth, and Vern

Tepe

AYE:

Michelle Gumz, Rick Williams, and Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

Authorizing a Supplemental Services Agreement Between Kane County and the

Village of Wayne for the Police Records Management

KaneComm Dir. Guthrie provided additional information on the following five

resolutions.

Committee Member Roth motioned to move the following five resolutions

forward, Lenert seconded. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

Guthrie thanked the Sheriff's Office, Information Technologies Department, and

ASA Vargas on their assistance on these resolutions.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Bill Roth

TO:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Bill Lenert

Myrna Molina, Bill Lenert, Michael Linder, Bill Roth, and Vern

Tepe

AYE:

Michelle Gumz, Rick Williams, and Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

Authorizing a Supplemental Services Agreement Between Kane County and the

Village of Hampshire for the Police Records Management

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Bill Roth

MOVER:

Bill Lenert

SECONDER:

Myrna Molina, Bill Lenert, Michael Linder, Bill Roth, and Vern

Tepe

AYE:

Michelle Gumz, Rick Williams, and Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

Authorizing a Supplemental Services Agreement Between Kane County and the

Village of Maple Park for the Police Records Management

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Bill Roth

MOVER:

Bill Lenert

SECONDER:

Myrna Molina, Bill Lenert, Michael Linder, Bill Roth, and Vern

Tepe

AYE:

Michelle Gumz, Rick Williams, and Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

Authorizing a Supplemental Services Agreement Between Kane County and the

Village of Pingree Grove for the Police Records Management

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Bill Roth

MOVER:

Bill Lenert

SECONDER:

Myrna Molina, Bill Lenert, Michael Linder, Bill Roth, and Vern

Tepe

AYE:

Michelle Gumz, Rick Williams, and Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

Authorizing a Supplemental Services Agreement Between Kane County and the

Village of Campton Hills for the Police Records Management

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Bill Roth

MOVER:

Bill Lenert

SECONDER:

Myrna Molina, Bill Lenert, Michael Linder, Bill Roth, and Vern

Tepe

AYE:

Michelle Gumz, Rick Williams, and Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

Emergency Management(S. Buziecki)

Monthly Report

OEM Exec. Dir. Buziecki stated the monthly report was on file. At last month's

meeting, he reported that the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) was

seeking to fill their Planner position. In late August, Buziecki made a job offer to

Specialist Planner, who will start next Tuesday. Additionally, OEM continues to

refresh the office setting and the Emergency Operations Center. They have

continued to switch out old technology and furniture. Lastly, Buziecki spoke on

the calls received and volunteer hours. Currently, for FY2024, approximately

11K hours have been served by OEM volunteers. He compared this to last year,

which had 11K hours for all of FY2023. Buziecki reported that he and Chief

Deputy Director, Jon Mensching attended the Illinois Emergency Management

Agency (IEMA) Conference Profession Development Awards. At the conference,

Mensching received the Professional Development Series Award. Buziecki was

rewarded the Illinois Profession Emergency Manager Certification. (Committee

Member Gumz arrived remotely at 9:13 a.m.)

10.

Sheriff/Adult Corrections (R. Hain)

Monthly Report

Sheriff Hain stated the monthly report was on file. He reported that the Sheriff's

Office is trending over budget for FY2024. This overage pertains to the returning

of funds so that the County could balance the budget and the overtime paid out

for placing officers at the Government Center for Board meetings. In order to

stay close or under budget, this service will have to lessen through the end of

the fiscal year. Hain stated that an invite was sent out inviting all to the Canine

Hudson Memorial Statue reveal at the Kane County Sheriff's Office on Friday,

September 13, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

Pre-Trial Fairness Act Impact on KCAJC Detainee Population

Sheriff Hain presented the Pre-Trial Fairness (PFA) Impact Report. He shared

several graphs depicting the percentage of monthly Kane County jail admissions

pre-PFA versus post-PFA. He spoke on the characteristics of the different jail

admission trends since the implementation of the PFA. Most having an upward

trend. Hain explained that monthly admissions in the Kane County Jail fell

immediately after the PFA, then rebounded back and continued to trend upward.

He spoke on the increase of Failure to Appear warrants issued post-PFA, and

the financial impact on the County. He explained that the average daily

population (ADP) at the County Jail in 2023 was 270 detainees, which cost

$7,391,250. In 2024, the ADP increased to 320 detainees, which cost

$8,760,000. This is the difference of $1,368,750. Hain reviewed the Electronic

Home Monitoring Program data pertaining to the affects of the PFA and the

increased amount of fees being waived by judiciary. He stated that as the

Sheriff's Office is trending upward in total revenue in operating costs, it does not

offset the financial impact the PFA is causing with the increase jail population.

Hain addressed questions and comments from the Committee. Much discussion

ensued.

11.

Coroner (R. Russell)

Monthly Report

Coroner Russell stated the monthly report was on file. He stated that the

Coroner's FY2023 Annual Report has been completed and will be distributed to

the County Board. He spoke on the monthly statistics. In his opinion, the most

shocking statistic is that the average age for an opioid overdose is 43 years old.

Russell spoke on the immense opioid outreach for the youth, but the lack of it for

the middle aged population. He stated that it is important for Kane County to

revise programs to reach this demographic. Russell reported that Senator Bill

Foster announced that Kane County has qualified and has been accepted to

receive a 2025 Congressional Grant. After Congress votes upon this, Kane

County will receive an additional $1.1M for the in-house forensic lab. Russell

invited the Committee to attend the Big Check Ceremony on Monday,

September 16, 2024, in celebration of receiving the already awarded $963K in

2024. He noted that approximately $2M has been awarded for the lab. Russell

explained that this project should be completed and operational by the end of

2025. He explained that the entire project will go through accreditation to ensure

that all tests completed at the lab needed for court purposes are certified. The

accreditation process will take about two to five years. Russell addressed

questions and comments from the Committee. Much discussion ensued.

12.

Judiciary & Courts (Villa/O'Brien)

Chief Judge Villa spoke on the lack of swiftness in construction of government projects.

The judiciary continues to move forward with the improvements of the equipment that

was received last year. Villa spoke on the overall improvements this new technology

will bring to the courts. He noted that all courtrooms at the Judicial Center will finally be

utilized within the next few weeks. Villa spoke on all of the scheduled construction

projects that will improve the public's experience and viability. He explained that the

jury experience has been enhanced within the courthouse with a complete revamp of

the jury area. He noted that the jury area at the Third Street Courthouse receive the

same. Lastly, Kane County Judiciary has been selected to host a program titled,"Youth

Are Worth It", which is a learning event for Illinois Juvenile Detention Centers. This

event will be held on October 9, 2024. Villa spoke on those who will be in attendance

and the opportunity to show what the Kane County Juvenile Justice Center provides.

Court Admin. O'Brien stated that the review of the newly renovated courtrooms will be

presented at the October Committee meeting. Villa explained that earlier this year, he

went to the Geneva Historical Museum and sought old pictures of the Third Street

Courthouse. He spoke on his goal of revitalizing and improving the courthouse. He

explained that after seeking these old pictures, the museum was able to provide grant

opportunities, photographs, and a Historical Society tour of the courthouse. He

explained that this is just the first step to introduce the public on what the County

intends to do with the courthouse and it's historical value.

13.

State's Attorney (J. Mosser)

Monthly Report

CFO Hunt stated that the monthly report was on file. He spoke on the SAFE-T

Act financial impacts on the State's Attorney's Office (SAO). He shared the

overview of the Safe-T Act impact on the SAO salary budget. Due to this

unfunded mandate, 13 additional positions were created in direct response to

the Act. In FY2024, this accounted for $974K in additional salaries. Hunt spoke

on the overall impact this Act has had on the bond call process. Before the

implementation of this Act, it cost $40K to have attorneys in the courtrooms. In

FY2024, this has increased to $183K. Hunt spoke on the hidden costs that are

not depicted in the SAO annual budget. The total fringe costs, including the

$446,685 in benefits, is an additional $1.5M. Hunt and State's Attorney Mosser

addressed questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued.

14.

Public Defender (R. Conant)

Monthly Report

Public Defender Conant stated the monthly report was on file. She provided the

SAFE-T Act impacts on the Public Defender's Office (PDO). As a part of FY2023

Budget, the PDO received five new SAFE-T Act positions, which equated to

$320K without benefits. Conant spoke on the amount of time it took to fill four

out of the five positions. The final support staff position is currently unfilled.

Conant explained that the financial impact related to the time spent to represent

clients. She spoke on the immense time it takes for attorneys to address each

court call and preliminary hearing.

15.

Court Services Administration (L. Aust)

Monthly Report

Court Srvs. Exec. Dir. Aust stated the following two reports were on file. She

reviewed the monthly statistics. Currently, Court Services supervises 3,694

pretrial clients. In July 2024, Court Services sent out approximately 1,600 text

messages to these clients, regarding upcoming court dates. Aust spoke on the

average age of opioid users. She stated that those older users are not being

supervised by the court. Referencing the monthly report, out of the 1,200 drug

tests randomly administered in July 2024, only five clients tested positive for

opiates. Aust explained that when looking at criminal justice statistics, it is the

young population that commits crime and is placed on supervision, not

middle-aged adults. After approaching the AD HOC Opioid Settlement Fund

Committee on utilizing funding for this growing issue, she has found that there

are not many candidates being supervised by the court system that would

qualify to receive the funding.

JJC Housing Report

Probation Officer of the Year

Court Srvs. Exec. Dir. Aust presented the Probation Officer of the Year Award. She

explained that while speaking to Chief Judge Villa, he stated that each week he finds

something to be proud of within the 16th Judicial Circuit. She spoke on the importance

of this award and the substantial work that has been done. Aust recognized Pretrial

Services Administration Director, Latayna Hill.

Hill spoke on the monthly probation statistics that is presented to this Committee. She

explained that she wanted to make the Probation Division more personal and to be

able to recognize a probation officer of the year. Hill presented the award to Isabel

Ocon, who works as a juvenile probation officer in Aurora. Ocon has served the County

for 19 years. Hill provided a brief professional history of Ocon. She spoke on Ocon's

dedication to this line of work.

Ocon thanked the Committee for their time and recognition. She thanked her team.

She stated that this job is not always easy, but those that perform this line of work love

it. (Committee Member Linder arrived remotely at 9:04 a.m.)

The Committee moved to the monthly financials.

Authorizing a Proclamation for Probation and Pretrial Supervision Week

Court Srvs. Exec. Dir. Aust read this resolution aloud. Aust addressed questions

and comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Bill Lenert

MOVER:

Vern Tepe

SECONDER:

Myrna Molina, Bill Lenert, Michelle Gumz, Michael Linder, Bill

Roth, and Vern Tepe

AYE:

Rick Williams, and Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

16.

Circuit Clerk (T. Barreiro)

Monthly Report

Circuit Clerk Barreiro stated the monthly report was on file. She reviewed July's

collection amounts. There was $115K collected, with approximately 2,700 cases

being sent to collections. In August, there was about 45 new cases filed.

Barreiro reported that there was 243 training hours and 253 overtime hours, 62

of which were for bond call and holiday pay. She spoke on the statistics of eFile.

She commended the CIC's eFile and IT teams for their work on the eFile

system. Barreiro spoke on the SAFE-T Act impacts on the CIC. She explained

that her office needed to add seven new positions, which only four were filled.

The other three were not filled and were not included within the FY2025 budget,

which would cost $250K per year. Barreiro addressed questions and comments

from the Committee.

17.

18.

19.

Old Business

None.

New Business

None.

Place Written Reports on File

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Bill Roth