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, June 12, 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 Michael Linder

Board Member Vern Tepe

Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair Bill Roth

Board Member Rick Williams

REMOTE

ABSENT

Board Member Michelle Gumz

Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog

Also present: Co. Bd. Members Kious*; Merit Comm. Chairman Burgert; KaneComm

Dir. Guthrie; OEM Dir. Buziecki; Sheriff Hain & staff Catich; Deputy Coroner

Richardson-Carerra; Silva; Chief Judge Villa & staff O'Brien, Mathis; State's Attorney

Mosser* & staff Brady, Hunt*; Public Defender Conant; Court Srvs. Exec. Dir. Aust;

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 Member Gumz and

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

Committee Member Gumz did not attend today's meeting.

Approval of Minutes: May 15, 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.

Committee Member Gripe explained that the Finance Department has been

working with select County Board Members on breaking down the interest

income that is allocated to each department. Referencing page four of the

financial reports, he inquired if the interest income has been budgeted. He

wondered if the interest income varies; how do departments budget interest

income; and who allocates this money to which areas? Lastly, he questioned if

the interest income is not used by departments by the end of the year, where

does it go to. Molina suggested Gripe reach out to Fin. Exec. Dir. Hopkinson for

answers. Discussion ensued.

Merit Commission

Merit Comm. Chairman Burgert reported that the Merit Commission last tested for

correction officers in January 2025. After testing, the Commission was able to provide

the Sheriff's Office a list of 24 names. However, only two candidates remain. There will

be another correction officer testing scheduled on July 30, 2025. To date, there are ten

applications received. The deadline for civilian applications is July 24, 2025. Burgert

anticipates to have approximately 60 applicants. The testing will occur at the

Waubonsee Community College at no cost to the County. Burgert explained that

another testing would likely be scheduled in the winter months. He noted that neither

the July nor the winter test are in the Merit Commission's annual budget.

KaneComm (M. Guthrie)

Monthly Report

KaneComm Guthrie stated the monthly report was on file. She recognized the

employment anniversaries of Telecommunicator, Mary Keating, who celebrated

12 years, Telecommunicator Becca Schoppe, who celebrated 11 years, and

Telecommunicator Adam Holt, who celebrated 20 years. She thanked them for

their commitment and years of service. Guthrie stated that KaneComm has

continued to be highly focused on the hiring process. There is a testing

scheduled at the end of June 2025. There are 25 applicants. Guthrie stated that

KaneComm's biggest need is space. Currently, KaneComm does not have an

effective training space. Guthrie stated that she has been exploring creative

solutions. To accommodate the trainings, she may need to rearrange her office

into a training space, if needed. Guthrie addressed questions and comments

from the Committee.

Emergency Management (S. Buziecki)

Monthly Report

OEM Dir. Buziecki stated the monthly report was on file. Within the reports, he

explained that there is an update on the process for mass communication.

Disaster Ready Kane

OEM Dir. Buziecki provided the Disaster Ready Kane - Disaster Recovery

Committee (DRC) Concept presentation. He stated that a Disaster Recovery

Committee is a collaborative network of community-based organizations whose

common goal is to coordinate assistance to individuals, families, and businesses

affected by disaster with short and long-term needs. He spoke on the untapped

resources that are located throughout the County, such as churches. He

addressed the Batavia micro burst that occurred earlier in the week, and the

apartment fires that occurred in Aurora. He noted that this kind of committee

could be made available to assist with these kinds of disasters. He reviewed the

groups that are included within a DRC, such as non-governmental organizations,

community foundations, small businesses, and schools. He shared the functions

of a DRC, such as providing mass care, debris removal, donation management,

and public outreach. Buziecki spoke on the progress made on developing a

DRC for Kane County. Conversations have been had with faith-based leaders,

Chambers of Commerce, non-profits, social service organizations, community

groups, and government organizations. Buziecki explained that a committee

chairman or co-chairs, vice-chairman, secretary, and fiscal agent/treasurer is

needed to get the DRC started. He noted that County Board Members Gripe and

Penesis have stepped up to help organize this committee. There is a leadership

meeting scheduled for July 15, 2025, with a much larger meeting happening in

August 2025.

Buziecki spoke on Mass Notification and the current platform. He explained that

the County's current provider, OnSolve CodeRed, costs $37,237 per year, which

is covered by the Public Safety Sales Tax Fund. Buziecki stated that the County

has utilized OnSolve CodeRed for 20 years and the current contract expires

December 17, 2025. He noted that the County would need to cancel before

August 18, 2025 to avoid an auto-renewal. Buziecki reviewed data on OnSolve

CodeRed Public Opt-in, Usage and Connections, and Attempted Connections.

He spoke on the County's overall experience with the current platform. He

explained that staff is less than satisfied, the platform is not easy to use, the

public opt-in database is outdated, the internal group messaging is inadequate,

and customer service is poor. He explained his efforts in having other

departments/offices utilize OnSolve CodeRed, who identified many issues with

the software. Buziecki provided information on alternative platforms: Hyper

Reach and Regroup. He compared the three mass notification platforms'

services and cost. He explained that the next steps for the County would entail

conducting demos with additional stakeholders in June 2025, bring a

resolution/contract to the Judicial Public Safety Committee and Administration

Committee in July 2025, and bring it to the full County Board for a vote in August

2025. Buziecki addressed questions and comments from the Committee.

Discussion ensued.

Buziecki provided an update on the Mobile Command Vehicle. He described the

conditions of the current vehicle, which is a 2006 Winnebago with approximately

14K miles. He explained that there is no longer replacement parts available for

the vehicle and it offers limited space. He provided several photographs of the

new Mobile Command Vehicle that is currently under production.

10.

Sheriff/Adult Corrections (R. Hain)

Monthly Report

Sheriff Hain stated the monthly report was on file. No additional report was

made.

Chairman Molina requested the Committee move directly to the State's Attorney

Monthly Report. The Committee agreed.

11.

12.

Coroner (M. Silva)

Monthly Report

Deputy Coroner Richardson-Carrera stated the monthly report was on file. She

thanked County Board Member, Mavis Bates, for coming out to the Coroner's

Office for a tour and attending a call for service. Richardson-Carrera addressed

questions and comments from the Committee.

Judiciary & Courts (Villa/O'Brien)

Chief Judge Villa reported that the Kane County Judicial Center (KCJC) has finally

finished the technology installation project. He noted that the Third Street Courthouse

will be finished in the following weeks. He spoke on the Security Station Project at the

Third Street Courthouse. He explained that this project has a 12-week timeline. Villa

spoke on the Judiciary's ability to service the public remotely via Zoom. He noted that

Kane County was the first county to implement Zoom court calls. Villa spoke on the

negatives of utilizing Zoom for court proceedings. He stated that the Judiciary needs to

focus on getting people back into the courtroom to reconnect and implement courtroom

integrity. He noted that there are some courtrooms, such as Abuse and Neglect, that

utilizing Zoom is beneficial. Villa addressed questions and comments from the

Committee.

13.

State's Attorney (J. Mosser)

Monthly Report

State's Attorney Mosser stated the monthly report was on file. No additional

report was made.

Authorizing an Amendment to Extend the Professional Healthcare Services

Agreement Between the County of Kane and the Kane County Child Advocacy

Center and the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

State's Attorney Mosser introduced this resolution.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Michael Linder

MOVER:

Jon Gripe

SECONDER:

Myrna Molina, Bill Lenert, Jon Gripe, Michael Linder, and Vern

Tepe

AYE:

Michelle Gumz, Rick Williams, and Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

Authorizing Budget Adjustment to Transfer Funding from the Kane County

Health Department to the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office for Crisis

Collaboration Liaison Position

State's Attorney Mosser introduced this resolution. She explained that this

resolution is to create a new position in the her office for a Crisis Collaboration

Liaison. This liaison will be working with police departments, social work

agencies, and throughout all of Kane County to increase people's understanding

of those experiencing a mental health crisis. This will help ensure that people

are aware of the different signs of those going through an episode. Additionally,

this will make sure that Kane County has the proper police response to those

having a metal health crisis. Mosser stated that Retired Elgin Police Lieutenant,

Tony Rigano, who helped create Elgin's Crisis Services Unit, will be Kane

County's Crisis Collaboration Liaison. She noted that this resolution will approve

the budget transfer from the Kane County Health Department (KCHD) to the

State's Attorney's Office (SAO) to create this new position. Mosser addressed

questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued.

KC Finance and Budget Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Finance and Budget Committee

Michael Linder

MOVER:

Jon Gripe

SECONDER:

Myrna Molina, Bill Lenert, Jon Gripe, Michael Linder, and Vern

Tepe

AYE:

Michelle Gumz, Rick Williams, and Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

The Committee moved to the Coroner's Monthly Report.

14.

Public Defender (R. Conant)

Monthly Report

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

her office is fully staffed and trained with all attorneys assigned to their

respective courtrooms. She provided an update on the Public Defender's Office

(PDO) renovation project. This project developed new offices and a conference

area. Conant and Chief Judge Villa addressed questions and comments from

the Committee. Discussion ensued.

15.

Court Services Administration (L. Aust)

Monthly Report

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

reported that the Problem-Solving Courts have increased their caseload from

135 to 164, which is within tolerance level. She noted that the Driving Under the

Influence (DUI) Court has reached maximum capacity. She explained that the

caseload files have held steady, but are experiencing a slight uptick in crime due

to the summer months. Within the financial reports, Aust explained that her

department is currently five percent, or $700K, under budget. She noted that this

is normal due to the turnover rate and juvenile placement funds. (Committee

Member Williams arrived remotely at 9:45 a.m.)

JJC Housing Report

Authorizing Psychiatric Services for Detained Individuals at the Juvenile Justice

Center

Court Srvs. Exec. Dir. Aust explained that about 60% of the juveniles detained at

the Juvenile Justice Center (JJC) are on psychotropic medication. She noted

that the JJC does evidence-based practices in order to fix the root of the

problem. Aust introduced this resolution. She explained that the Family

Counseling Services in Aurora provide the JJC with a psychiatric nurse for a

reduced cost. The nurse comes in and meets with the juveniles on a weekly

basis to help with medication and mental health care. Aust noted that this is a

budgeted expense. She explained that the County will have to pay part of the

$5K increase because the County is now providing metal health services for first

responders through Blue Cross Blue Shield. Court Services will be able to utilize

the savings to help pay for this cost. No money will be utilized from the County's

General Fund. Aust addressed questions and comments from the Committee.

Discussion ensued.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Michael Linder

TO:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Bill Lenert

Myrna Molina, Bill Lenert, Jon Gripe, Michael Linder, and Vern

Tepe

AYE:

Michelle Gumz, and Corinne M. Pierog

Rick Williams

ABSENT:

AWAY:

16.

Circuit Clerk (T. Barreiro)

Monthly Report

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

office is down one Deputy Clerk. She noted that her office has 22 employees

with three years or less of experience. Previously, the average was ten years.

Barreiro stated that the Circuit Clerk's Office has finished installing credit card

machines in all of the courtrooms to help collect outstanding fines and fees. She

mentioned that she is in agreement with Chief Judge Villa on the Zoom court call

situation. She stated that Zoom is good for those that need it. However, the

respect for the judiciary system is gained when people come to the courtroom.

Barreiro noted that Zoom court calls also affect the ability to collect fines and

fees. She offered up the training room at the Kane County Circuit Clerk's Office

to any department/office in need. Barreiro and Chief Judge Villa addressed

questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued.

17.

18.

19.

Old Business

None.

New Business

None.

Place Written Reports on File

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Bill Lenert

20.

Executive Session (if needed)

None.