Government Center

719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A

Geneva, IL 60134

Kane County

KC Judicial/Public Safety

Committee

Meeting Minutes

MOLINA, Lenert, Gripe, Gumz, Linder, Tepe, Williams, ex-officios Roth (County Vice Chair)

and Pierog (County Chair)

Thursday, April 10, 2025

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

PRESENT

Board Member Jon Gripe

Board Member Michelle Gumz

Board Member Michael Linder

Board Member Vern Tepe

Board Member Rick Williams

Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair Bill Roth

Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog

REMOTE

Also present: Co. Bd. Members Bates*, Juby*, Kious*, Penesis*, Strathmann*;

KaneComm Dir. Guthrie; OEM Dir. Buziecki; Undersheriff Johnson; Coroner Silva &

staff Richardson-Carrera, Foley*; Court Admin. O'Brien & staff Mathis; SAO staff

Brady, Shepro*, Hunt*; Pub. Def. Conant; Court Srvs. Exec. Dir. Aust; Circuit Clk.

Barreiro; Auditor Wegman; ITD CIO Lasky & staff Peters; members of the press and

public.

Remote Attendance Requests

(Madam Chairman Pierog arrived remotely at 9:01 a.m.)

There were no remote attendance requests for today's meeting.

Approval of Minutes: March 13, 2025

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Vern Tepe

Public Comment

None.

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 Dir. Guthrie stated the monthly report was on file. She noted that

KaneComm has remained busy in March 2025. She stated that April is Public

Education Month for 9-1-1.

Guthrie presented KaneComm's 2024 Annual Report. She reviewed

KaneComm's mission statement and the multiple jurisdictions that they service.

She shared KaneComm's organizational structure. KaneComm is staffed by

telecommunicators and shift managers for three shifts answering emergency

calls 24-hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Guthrie spoke on the

job duties and responsibilities of a 9-1-1 Telecommunicator. She stated that the

majority of a telecommunicator's job is rarely talked about, seen, or known by

the general public. Studies have shown that dispatchers are being diagnosed

with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to the trauma of listening to

horrific calls, radio traffic, and other job related stressors. Guthrie shared

telecommunicator statistics, such as less than 1% of the general population can

perform the job. One out of ten telecommunicators hired complete the training

program. The turnover rate for a telecommunicator is approximately 30%, and

the average tenure is one to three years. At KaneComm, there is a senior team

with members serving 20+ years. Guthrie explained that resources are available

to KaneComm staff, such as a contracted psychologist that specializes in 9-1-1

telecommunicator stress. She spoke on the KaneComm staffing and

assignments. Staffing levels call for three to four telecommunicators per shift

that include call taker/fire dispatcher, County police dispatcher, municipalities

police dispatcher, and a fourth additional call taker/fire dispatcher. She shared a

picture of KaneComm's radio console. Guthrie listed other responsibilities of

KaneComm staff, such as entering missing person or stolen vehicle reports into

national and state databases. She shared a picture of a typical

telecommunicator desk and computer set up. She reviewed the volume of

telephone call activity for 2023 and 2024. In 2023, there were a total of 118,811

calls. In 2024, there were 114,868 calls. Guthrie shared a graph depicting the

Police Activity in 2024. These calls make up 90% of total calls for service with

the majority of the calls coming from the Kane County Sheriff's Office. The

remaining 10% is fire activity. Guthrie spoke on the five-year trends of incidents

dispatched. Calls for service have continued to increase over the past five years.

Guthrie spoke on KaneComm's 2024 Records Requests. In 2024, KaneComm

received 573 requests for audio recordings and other records. KaneComm

Management reviews and responds to incident requests and subpoenas for

records and audio recordings, which take several hours to complete. She

reviewed KaneComm's 2024 projects. She stated that KaneComm is always

incorporating technology for efficiency, while also reducing costs. She

highlighted the replacement of all T1 circuits at the radio towers with ASEoD

circuits. She reviewed the upcoming 2025 projects, such as hiring, and 9-1-1

CAD System upgrade. She spoke on the 9-1-1 surcharge increase and

legislation. She provided a handout that reviewed the funding of 9-1-1 services

in Illinois. Guthrie explained that KaneComm receives $1.50/line charge from

every phone bill registered within the County. She noted that this only covers

about 30% of KaneComm's expenses. The additional expenses are covered by

subscribing agencies. Guthrie noted that since the surcharge is a fixed amount,

it does not increase with inflation. As expenses rise, the expense is covered by

surrounding public safety agencies, such as police and fire departments. In

2017, the surcharge increased from $.87 to $1.50 and it helped address

inflation, cost-of-living changes, technology, the need for improved staff

compensation, and the goal of ensuring consistent statewide 9-1-1 access. It

has also supported several critical advancements, such as the implementation

of statewide Next Generation 9-1-1 Network. However, the sustainability of

these achievements and ability to address future operational and technological

demands are at risk due to insufficient surcharge revenue. The City of Chicago

receives a $5.00 monthly line charge. Guthrie explained that Illinois 9-1-1 has

requested to secure reliable 9-1-1 service that can adapt to evolving

technologies and increasing demands of a statewide parity by increasing the

surcharge rate to the City of Chicago's base rate of $2.50, with an annual

inflationary adjustment. She stated that KannComm will be advocating for this

change at 9-1-1 Goes to Springfield on May 29, 2025. She reviewed

KaneComm's 2025 goals and objectives. She explained that telecommunicators

are represented by the thin gold line on the American flag. Guthrie addressed

questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued.

Authorizing an Agreement with Motorola for the Starcom Radio Management

System

KaneComm Dir. Guthrie introduced this resolution. She provided additional

information.

KC Finance and Budget Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Finance and Budget Committee

Bill Lenert

MOVER:

Vern Tepe

SECONDER:

Myrna Molina, Bill Lenert, Jon Gripe, Michelle Gumz, Michael

Linder, Vern Tepe, and Rick Williams

AYE:

Emergency Management (S. Buziecki)

Monthly Report

OEM Dir. Buziecki stated the monthly report was on file. He spoke on the fire

that occurred on March 30, 2025, in Carpentersville where three small children

lost their lives. He stated that the Kane County Office of Emergency

Management (OEM) will be helping with the funeral precession on Friday, April

11, 2025.

Buziecki provided a presentation on the March 14, 2025 to March 15, 2025

Severe Weather After Action Report (AAP) and Improvement Plan. He provided

a map depicting the severe whether event. He explained that Kane County

received a report of a tornado west of Maple Park, but it was not confirmed by

the National Weather Service (NWS). The NWS was able to confirm that Kane

County had significant amount of straight-line wind damage. Buziecki provided

photographs of the damage that occurred around the County. He spoke on the

purpose of an AAR. He reviewed the core capabilities and the assessment of

the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). He shared the areas in

which OEM is faced with challenges and ways to improve. One of the greatest

challenges the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) faces is the ability to

give decision-makers key information they need about the hazard, its effects,

response status, and to help the community recognize, understand,

communicate, and plan for risks. The biggest accomplishment for OEM was the

ability to stabilize critical infrastructure functions, minimize health and safety

threats, and efficiently restore and revitalize systems and services to support a

viable, resilient community. Buziecki spoke on the Volunteer Recognition Event.

In 2024, OEM volunteers served for 13,422 hours. As of November 30, 2024,

OEM had 50 volunteers. Currently, OEM has 54 volunteers with 18 new

prospects enrolled in training. When Buziecki started in October 2023, OEM had

43 volunteers. He spoke on the outreach OEM has done to bring in volunteers.

Buziecki addressed four monthly key points. He shared that OEM has recently

been working with County legislators on two pieces of legislation. A new

Volunteer Academy began on April 9, 2025. OEM continues to face challenges

with sheltering and office and storage space limitations. Buziecki addressed

questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued.

10.

Sheriff/Adult Corrections (R. Hain)

Monthly Report

Undersheriff Johnson stated the monthly report was on file. She mentioned that

the Kane County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) sent out a press release for the Special

Investigations Unit (SIU) addressing two traffic stops that included narcotics and

weapons being found. Johnson stated that the KCSO is doing more with less

and with the failure of the April 1, 2025 retail sales tax referendum she wanted to

make sure to share these accolades. Lastly, she mentioned that on one shift

there were 115 traffic stops. She commended these deputies and the work that

is being done. She would like the community to know that the KCSO is working

and doing all that they can being short staffed.

11.

Coroner (M. Silva)

Monthly Report

Coroner Silva stated the monthly report was on file. She provided a first quarter

comparison of the Coroner's Office cases from 2024 versus 2025. In 2025, they

had a total of 1,061 cases, which was a 10% increase in caseload. She shared

the caseload for March 2025. There were 12 total Sign-Out cases. Eight entailed

autopsies and four did not. In regards to Sign-Out cases, the office was able to

save $6,800 from medical chart reviews rather than performing a full autopsy,

and $928 by not processing toxicology reports. Silva provided a breakdown of

the 35 Sign-Out, unnatural deaths. There was a $20,400 forensic savings

through a thorough investigation of medical records for "fall" cases and suicides

with no concerns, and a $1,624 savings due to no toxicology reports processed

for these "fall" cases. Silva spoke on the Deputy Caseload as of March 2025.

She addressed her anxiety of a positive caseload increase. She noted that the

office is currently down one Deputy Coroner.

2024 Drug Related Deaths

Coroner Silva provided a presentation on the 2024 Drug Related Deaths. She

stated that one of her priorities as Coroner is to provide the public with

information to see trends. Currently, her office has been compiling data for 2024

drug related deaths. In 2024, there were 63 total cases: 59 were drug related

and four were alcohol only. She shared several graphs depicting the ages,

gender, and race of those that succumbed to drug related deaths. The majority

of drug related deaths were white males with the average age of 51 to 60 years

old. In Kane County, Elgin and Aurora have the highest drug related deaths.

Silva pointed out that there were 20 Fentynal related cases: seven were

Fentynal only and 13 were Fentynal and other. She shared a five-year review for

drug/alcohol intoxication. She noted that overdoses have been decreasing over

the past two years. She is hoping to see a decrease in opiate related deaths.

She noted that some deaths are contributed to one single drug, while others

have multiple drugs reported on toxicology.

Silva spoke on the multiple high profile cases her office was involved in. She

addressed the 1983 cold case of Karen Schepers. She noted that the Coroner's

Office was involved in recovering Schepers' car that was found in the Fox River

on March 24, 2025. She commended Deputy Coroners that sifted through over a

dozen bins and buckets of mud and debris from Schepers' car. While sifting

through these, Chief Deputy Richard-Carrera found the victim's ring, which was

given to her mother. Silva thanked those Board Members that have toured the

Coroner's Office. She asked members to participate in a ride-along. She noted

that she had been looking into cross training opportunities in order to tour other

public safety offices to help the understanding of what every office/department

does for the County.

Coroner’s Office Photos

12.

Judiciary & Courts (Villa/O'Brien)

Court Admin. O'Brien provided an update on courtroom technology. She stated that all

the equipment has been installed. Currently, the Judiciary is wrapping up programming

and testing. Starting next week, training will occur for all judges and staff. O'Brien noted

photographs will be shared at the next Committee meeting.

Deputy Court Admin. Mathis acknowledged the training that occurred at the Kane

County Judicial Center (KCJC) for newly imposed legislation that will change the Order

of Protection process. He commended State's Attorney Mosser for training front line

staff across the County on the new legislation. Next week, she will train the judges and

administration staff. Mathis stated that this is a testament on how well all public safety

and judiciary staff work together. He spoke on the scheduled power outage that will

occur at the KCJC on April 18, 2025. He noted that once this was shared, everyone

was informed within an hour and planning occurred. He stated that everyone in public

safety and the Judiciary are always willing to help.

13.

14.

State's Attorney (J. Mosser)

Monthly Report

SAO Deputy Chief of Civil Brady stated the monthly report was on file. No

additional report was made.

Public Defender (R. Conant)

Monthly Report

Pub. Def. Conant stated the monthly report was on file. As three months have

past, she stated that her office is on track from last year's numbers. She expects

that her office will be opening the same amount of cases as last year. Regarding

the Public Defender's Office renovation project, Conant stated the reception

window will be replaced with bullet proof glass. She is hopeful this will be

completed in three weeks, which is the final step in the project. She noted that

the office will still accept phone calls and clients during this time.

15.

Court Services Administration (L. Aust)

Monthly Report

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

the monthly report's graphs, she stated in February her office completed 1,364

drug tests. There has been an increase in cocaine use. She spoke on the

Specialty/Problem Solving Courts. In December 2024, there were approximately

135 active participants going through the Problem Solving Courts. Today, there

is about 165. Aust informed the Committee that there is still capacity in these

courts, but these numbers are increasing, especially in the Mental Health Court.

She spoke on the increase of participants in DUI Court. The capacity is 60, and

there is currently 51 applicants. A wait list will have to be established. Aust

stated that the Drug Court Graduation is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7,

2025. Additionally, the Specialty Courts' Spring Fundraiser will be held on

Thursday, May 15, 2025. This fundraiser is hosted by a 501(c)(3). They supply

the participants with items that the County cannot use taxpayers' dollars on,

such as shoes, coats, and anything that is needed in life that will relieve stress

so they can focus on recovery.

JJC Housing Report

16.

Circuit Clerk (T. Barreiro)

Monthly Report

Circuit Clk. Barreiro stated the monthly report was on file. She noted that her

office is down two Deputy Clerks on the Court and Office Team. Regarding the

monthly Citation Report, there is approximately 160 to 260 inputs per day, which

is in addition to in-person counter visits, court, and phone calls. Barreiro stated

that the Circuit Clerk's Office will be holding an Expungement Clinic. She noted

that the advertisement was put out this week and spots have been filling quickly.

She spoke on the need to have more Expungement Clinics throughout the

County. She stated that the Circuit Clerk's Office has found office space within

the Records to turn into a possible vault.

17.

18.

Old Business

None.

New Business

Committee Member Gripe thanked OEM Dir. Buziecki for his four key points that he

presented. He appreciates the highlight as money will continue to be tightened. It is

helpful to see where the Committee can help. If these key points are presented by

each County department/office, discussions can be had to help and make

recommendations, which will help everyone get through the financial restraints

smoothly.

19.

20.

Place Written Reports on File

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Vern Tepe

Executive Session (if needed)

None.