Kendall County Law, Justice & Legislation Committee met January 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:
Call to Order and Pledge Allegiance - Chair Matthew Prochaska called the meeting to order at 3:15p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call: Member Prochaska, Member Giles, Member Purcell and Member Gilmour were present. With four members present voting aye, a quorum was determined to conduct business.
Member Hendrix was absent
Others Present: Sheriff Dwight Baird, Public Defender Vicky Chuffo, Circuit Clerk Robyn Ingemunson, Assistant State’s Attorney Leslie Johnson, Presiding Judge Tim McCann, EMA Deputy Director Tracy Page, Chief Deputy Mike Peters, Coroner Jacquie Purcell, Court Administrator Nicole Swiss, Court Services Director Tina Varney, Facilities Management Director Jim Smiley, and Animal Control Director Laura Pawson
Approval of the Agenda – Member Giles made a motion to approve the agenda, second by Member Gilmour. With four members present in agreement with the amendment, the motion carried.
Approval of Minutes – Member Giles made a motion to approve the December 11, 2017 Meeting Minutes, second by Member Purcell. With four members present in agreement, the motion carried.
Public Comment – None
❖ Coroner – Jacquie Purcell reviewed her written report and the statistics for December 2017 stating there were a total of 21 deaths, with 17 being of natural origin, 1 suicide, and 2 pending. Ms. Purcell also stated that Coroner’s Office personnel completed firearms qualification.
❖ Circuit Clerk – Robyn Ingemunson reported that her office was down by 1700 cases for 2017. Ms. Ingemunson also reported that in compliance with regulations, her office began E- filing on January 1, 2018. Written report provided.
❖ Courthouse – Judge McCann explained the Illinois Bail Reform Act, a new law effective January 1, 2018, in which the law specifies that cash bail is no longer necessary for people who are in custody for non-violent misdemeanor or low-level felony crimes. Judge McCann stated that this helps to prevent inmates from sitting for weeks or even months in jail simply because they are poor and can’t pay to get out on bail. Inmates will receive a $30 credit for every day spent in jail, which will go toward the ten-percent of their bail.
Judge McCann also reported that they have terminated their contract with the current interpreter, and are looking for another interpreter. McCann stated that the State will reimburse their office for outside contractors, versus using judicial or County staff that might be qualified as an interpreter.
❖ Court Services – Tina Varney reported that the one juvenile in residential placement most of last year has been discharged. Ms. Varney also stated that there are less kids in detention, but that those in detention are being retained for longer periods in the Kane County Juvenile Detention Center. Written report provided.
❖ EMA – Deputy Director Tracy Page reported there have been numerous weather warnings in recent weeks. Ms. Page also informed the committee that EMA will be hosting a Weather Spotter Class which will be held on Thursday, February 8, 2018 at 6:30p.m. in the New Life Church located at 3205 Cannonball Trail, Yorkville. Written report provided.
❖ KenCom – Written report provided.
❖ Public Defender – Vicky Chuffo provided a written report and stated that all of her staff caseloads increased this past month.
❖ State’s Attorney – No report
❖ Sheriff’s Report
a. Operations Division – Chief Deputy Peters reported that K-9 Taz, an 11-year old German Shepherd who spent the last 8 years as Deputy Flanders K-9 partner retired on January 3, 2018. Taz specialized in narcotics detection, tracking, handler protection, and evidence searches. Taz’s first day with the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office was on January 1, 2010. Deputy Flanders has been promoted to Detective and will be moving to that section this month.
Chief Peters also reported that vehicle usage has been down, and Sheriff Baird contributed the decrease to less staff.
b. Corrections Division – Sheriff Baird reported that the average daily inmate population has decreased, and that there are currently 68 inmates being housed from Kendall County.
Sheriff Baird also reported that a “shakedown” of the jail was performed by deputies on two separate days in December, resulting in very minor contraband being discovered.
Sheriff Baird stated that there was an increase in medical billing costs due to one inmate’s prescription costs totaling more than $3,900 per month. Sheriff Baird said that they continue to monitor all inmate costs very closely.
Sheriff Baird was proud to report that Undersheriff Martin, Deputy Commander Gillespie, and Corrections Sergeant Jeanne Russo American Correctional Society award for Accreditation in Orlando Florida last week. The Sheriff thanked everyone involved in this monumental accomplishment for the Sheriff’s Office and Jail.
Written report provided.
c. Records Division – Written report provided
d. Annual Report – Written report provided
Old Business - None
New Business:
➢ Drone Discussion – Sheriff Dwight Baird informed the committee that several deputies have attended training on Drones, and that the Sheriff’s Office is working collaboratively with Oswego, Yorkville, Plano, and Sandwich law enforcement personnel on the purchase of a drone to aid in County-wide search and rescue, investigations, missing persons, etc., at a cost of approximately $31,000. They are also exploring the possibility of a applying for a grant through HIDTA that would pay for the drone.
➢ Discussion of Louie’s Law, a state proposed measure that would prohibit pet store operators from selling, dogs, cats, or rabbits, acquired from a commercial breeder – Laura Pawson updated the committee on SB2280, Louie’s Law, that was recently discussed at the Animal Control meeting. Animal Control Committee Chair Elizabeth Flowers is passionate about the County joining other counties in participating in this new endeavor. Former Animal Control Director Anna Payton, who is now the Director of the Naperville Humane Society provided additional information on the proposed legislation, and answered questions from the committee. No action was taken by this committee. Further discussion will occur at the February Law, Justice and Legislation meeting.
Executive Session – Not needed
Public Comment – None
Items for Committee of the Whole - None
Action Items for County Board - None
Adjournment – Member Purcell made a motion to adjourn the meeting, second by Member Giles. With all in agreement, the meeting adjourned at 3:59 p.m.
https://www.co.kendall.il.us/wp-content/uploads/01-08-2018-Law-Justice-Legislation-Minutes.pdf
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