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, March 13, 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 Vern Tepe

Board Member Rick Williams

Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair Bill Roth

Board Member Jon Gripe

Board Member Michelle Gumz

Board Member Michael Linder

REMOTE

ABSENT

Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog

Also present: Co. Bd. Member Bates*, Penesis*; KaneComm Dir. Guthrie; OEM Dir.

Buziecki; Undersheriff Johnson & staff Catich; Deputy Coroners Richardson-Carrera,

Nielsen; Chief Judge Villa; Court Admin. O'Brien & staff Mathis; SAO staff Brady,

Ford*, Hunt*; Public Defender Conant; Court Srvs. Exec. Dir. Aust & staff Saylor;

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 Gripe and

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

Approval of Minutes: February 13, 2025

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Bill Lenert

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 mentioned

that KaneComm has numerous projects being completed. However, hiring

continues to be the priority. Guthrie stated that KaneComm has been

participating in several public education events and job fairs to let the public

know that they are hiring. KaneComm has welcomed a new trainee on Monday,

March 3, 2025. Guthrie stated that she is working on KaneComm's annual report

and should be able to present it next month. She spoke on KaneComm's

expenses. She stated that through the budget process is was discovered that

KaneComm was missing a couple months of revenue. Now that the missing

revenue has been included in the FY2025 budget, KaneComm's expenses are

no longer 14% over budget. Guthrie spoke on recently reintroduced legislation,

9-1-1 Saves Act. She explained that on January 16, 2025, State

Representatives Norma J. Torres and Brian Fitzpatrick announced the

reintroduction of the 9-1-1 Saves Act to reclassify 9-1-1 telecommunicators as

first responders. Currently, telecommunicators are classified as

office/administrative support. Guthrie noted that this Act has zero cost to the

American taxpayers. She thanked Committee Member Gumz for her support on

this legislation.

Committee Member Gumz explained that she spoke with Representative Torres

regarding this Act. She mentioned that she has no shame in advocating for this.

She is hopeful this will move forward.

Proclaiming April 13-19, 2025 National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Michelle Gumz

MOVER:

Vern Tepe

SECONDER:

Myrna Molina, Bill Lenert, Michelle Gumz, Vern Tepe, and Rick

Williams

AYE:

Michael Linder, and Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

Emergency Management(S. Buziecki)

Monthly Report

(Committee Member Gripe arrived remotely at 9:06 a.m.)

OEM Dir. Buziecki stated the monthly report was on file. He explained that there

was a fire that happened in West Dundee at an apartment complex. This fire

displaced 35 residents and pets, which all have been accommodated. Buziecki

stated that a couple months ago, the County Board passed a resolution

approving the storage of an American Red Cross trailer on the Kane County

Government Center Campus. Due to this, the Office of Emergency Management

(OEM) was able to set the trailer up as temporary shelter, even though no

residents took advantage of it. Buziecki stated that a Resource Fair will be held

on Friday, March 14, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for these residents to

receive necessities. Lastly, he mentioned that OEM's emergency calls have

been average. Buziecki addressed questions and comments from the

Committee. Discussion ensued.

Recognizing April as National Volunteer Appreciation Month

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Rick Williams

MOVER:

Vern Tepe

SECONDER:

Myrna Molina, Bill Lenert, Michelle Gumz, Vern Tepe, and Rick

Williams

AYE:

Michael Linder, and Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

Kane County Threat & Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA)

OEM Dir. Buziecki provided the Threat & Hazard Identification and Risk

Assessment (THIRA) presentation. The THIRA allows Emergency Management

agencies to look at what is going on throughout the world and determine how it

will affect their area. Buziecki stated that this assessment is mandated but it also

provides good Emergency Management information for planning while

completing the Emergency Operations Plan. He explained that per Illinois State

Statute, each county must maintain an Emergency Services and Disaster

Agency (ESDA) with jurisdiction over unincorporated areas of the County and

incorporated municipalities with no established emergency management

program and to support established municipal ESDAs. The statute also

mandates that ESDAs maintain programs and capabilities to mitigate, prepare,

respond, and recover from emergencies and disasters. Buziecki listed the

multiple municipal Emergency Management agencies. He reviewed the four

phases of Emergency Management: Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and

Recovery. He explained that the THIRA is a comprehensive process to identify,

assess, and prioritize threats and hazards, such as natural disasters, public

health emergencies, or human-caused events. This plan is required by state

statute, helps understand threats and hazards, identifies vulnerabilities, and the

potential impacts of such disasters. It also allows Emergency Management to

make informed decisions to better prepare for, respond to, recover from, and

mitigate disasters. Buziecki reviewed the County's major THIRA findings, such

as lack of availability of the American Red Cross, Emergency Sheltering

Operations, which require additional planning, volunteers, equipment/supplies,

and training. He shared the County's THIRA process, such as identifying what

could happen in Kane County and the potential disasters it faces. Buziecki listed

the 23 THIRA team members from numerous County offices/departments. He

reviewed the THIRA results showing the top five County vulnerabilities:

cyber-attack (COOP issue), severe weather, flood/dam failure, hazardous

materials, and terrorism (sheltering). Buziecki shared OEM's tasks in three out of

the four phases of Emergency Management: Preparedness, Recovery, and

Mitigation. He categorized each phase's task as "in progress", "not yet started",

and "no capability". He noted that Recovery is OEM's weakest phase. Over the

next several months, the Office of Emergency Management will present disaster

scenarios to illustrate capability assessments, target capabilities, and gaps to

the Judicial Public Safety Committee. Buziecki addressed questions and

comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued.

Buziecki reviewed upcoming OEM activities. He explained that he will be

presenting "Building a Strong Volunteer Program" at the upcoming Illinois

Emergency Management Services Association (IESMA Training Summit) in

Springfield on April 23, 2025 through April 25, 2025. He stated that OEM

currently has 54 volunteers and 18 applicants for the April through October

training. Additionally, OEM is implementing an Emergency Operations Center

(EOC) Management software that will digitize and streamline processes and

improve communication. Lastly, Buziecki spoke on the implications of federal

funding being paused.

10.

Sheriff/Adult Corrections (R. Hain)

Monthly Report

Undersheriff Johnson stated the monthly report was on file. She commended

KaneComm for their work and support. No additional report was made.

11.

12.

Coroner (M. Silva)

Monthly Report

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

noted that staff participated in Special Olympics Polar Plunge. They were able to

raise $2,190.

Judiciary & Courts (Villa/O'Brien)

Chief Judge Villa announced that the Kane County Judiciary will be participating in Law

Day. Law Day is a national day sponsored by the American Bar Association. Law Day

events include a theme, downloadable materials, and proclamations. This year the

theme for Law Day is E Pluribus Unum. Villa explained that because these events are

standardized and a theme is assigned, it is easy for high school students to submit

essays on their thoughts of what the theme means. He noted that the Kane County Bar

Foundation will be providing cash awards to the essay winners. Essays will be

reviewed and the top three high school juniors and seniors will receive the cash award

and Law Day merchandise. He looks forward to this event increasing in size and

recognition. Villa stated that in October 2025, the Kane County Law Library will be

hosting a pro-bono open house luncheon celebration. He urged members and the

public to attend to recognize the work the Law Library provides. Additionally, he

recognized the Guardian Ad Litem. He spoke on the services provided by this group. In

October 2025, the Judiciary will be hosting an event to recognize them. Lastly, Villa

stated that the Judicial Center has several construction projects underway and a

presentation will be provided to the Committee once they're completed.

Deputy Court Admin. Mathis acknowledged the Kane County Mock Trial Competition.

He mentioned that Saint Charles East High school students were the winners of the

high school competition. He stated that Kane County hosted the College Mock Trial.

Numerous students from colleges all around the country attended. He acknowledged

Kane County's Court Security and Building Management.

13.

14.

State's Attorney (J. Mosser)

Monthly Report

ASA Brady stated the monthly report was on file. No additional report was made.

Public Defender (R. Conant)

Monthly Report

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

her office is continuing to hire within the competitive atmosphere. On March 12,

2025, there were 11 Public Defender Offices with job postings on the Office of

State Appellate Defender website. Conant stated that her office is participating

in job fairs in the City of Chicago for applicants. She spoke on her participation

as a judge during the mock trial event.

15.

Court Services Administration (L. Aust)

Monthly Report

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

highlighted the list of trainings that Court Services participated in this past

month. She noted that each staff member has required training hours to

complete annually. For every probation officer, they need to acquire a minimum

of 20 to 30 training hours per year. Detention staff need to have 40 to 50 hours.

Aust spoke on the time needed and reorganization of staff in order for these

training hours to be completed. Lastly, she stated that detention numbers have

decreased back to where they were a few years back.

JJC Housing Report

Problem Solving Courts

Court Srvs. Dir. Saylor provided a presentation on the Kane County Problem

Solving Courts. She shared the Court Services Department's FY2024 Expenses

by Function. As of January 25, 2025, the department's total FY2024 expenses

were $13,936,895. Kane County has four certified Problem Solving Courts: Drug

Rehabilitation Court, Veterans' Court, Treatment Alternative Court, and DUI

Court. She noted that Kane County was the first to have four certified Problem

Solving Courts. Saylor stated that applicants to these courts must want to be

part of the program and be a Kane County resident. In every special court,

treatment is mandatory, which requires a team-based approach by the Judiciary,

State's Attorney, Public Defender, Probation, Diagnostic Center, Kane County

Jail, Veteran's Assistance Commission, and community treatment providers.

Saylor reviewed the Probation staff that helps with these Problem Solving

Courts. She stated that Problem Solving Courts address community problems

that other systems cannot. She reviewed statistics on Kane County emergency

room visits for drug overdoses. Saylor shared graphs that depicted All Drug and

Opioid Emergency Department Encounters from 2018 to 2023 and All Drug and

Opioid Fatalities in Kane County. She spoke on risk distribution compared to

adult probation. She stated that Kane County Problem Solving Courts work. In

order for them to work effectively, Court Services must have the correct

defendants in these courts. She explained that those that participate in the

Specialty Courts are those that are at risk to re-offend and in the highest need of

services. Saylor broke down the work that was done by County staff in relation

to these courts in 2024, such as 5,302 home visits, on-going crisis management,

and 8,887 drug tests. She reviewed each Problem Solving Court' mandated

statutes and statistics. Court Srvs. Exec. Dir. Aust stated that these problem

solving courts are for individuals that are committing crimes in the community

who have an issue with one of the circumstances these courts address. In these

courts, it is about mitigating risk and decrease the likeness that these offenders

will re-offend.

Chief Judge Villa spoke on the Drug Court graduations. He stated that theses

courts have positively changed lives. He suggested that the amount of savings

each of these courts provide to the County should be shared. Discussion

ensued.

16.

Circuit Clerk (T. Barreiro)

Monthly Reports

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

office is down three Deputy Clerks within the Court/Office Team and are

accepting applications. She thanked Chief Judge Villa for his comments at a

presentation that was shared last month. She appreciates all those in the

Judiciary and Public Safety.

17.

18.

Old Business

None.

New Business

Committee Member Williams reminded the Committee of the Retail Sales Tax

Referendum that will be voted on by Kane County citizens on April 1, 2025. He

mentioned that Board Members received an email from Fin. Exec. Dir. Hopkinson that

stated out of the $138M budget, 69% of it is utilized by departments/offices in this room

today. He explained that if this referendum does not pass, the Judiciary and Public

Safety departments/offices will need to look at their budget and see where savings can

be found to make up for the deficit. At the April Judicial Public Safety Committee

meeting, triage planning will have to occur, if this referendum does not pass.

19.

20.

Place Written Reports on File

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Vern Tepe

Executive Session (if needed)

None.