The Law and Justice Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Monday, February 27, 2006 @ 6:30p.m. in the DeKalb County Administration Building’s Conference Room East.  Chairman Sue Leifheit called the meeting to order.  Members present were Anita Turner, Roger Steimel, and Pat Vary.  Eric Johnson, Pat LaVigne and Rich Osborne were absent.  There was a quorum present.  Others present were Margi Gilmour, Ken Johnson and Dennis Miller. 

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

            Moved by Ms. Turner, seconded by Mr. Steimel, and it was carried unanimously to approve the minutes from January 2006.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

            Moved by Ms. Vary, seconded by Mr. Steimel, and it was carried unanimously to approve the agenda as presented.

CORONER’S UPDATE AND ANNUAL REPORT

            Mr. Dennis Miller, DeKalb County Coroner, presented his 2005 annual report to the committee.  He stated that the caseload has increased over the previous years to 493 cases.  There were 456 natural deaths, 18 motor vehicle deaths, 11 accidental deaths, 5 suicidal deaths, 1 homicide and 2 undetermined deaths.  Autopsies have increase to 56 for 2005.  Cremations have increased to 278 vs. 247 in the previous year.  There are 33 cremations already for FY2006.  Cremations may have increased because there are now four funeral homes in the County that have crematoriums on the premises.  Mr. Miller also said that as the County sees the population boom, we would obviously see more increases.

            The committee thanked Mr. Miller for his report.

ESDA 2005 ANNUAL REPORT

            Mr. Dennis Miller, DeKalb County’s ESDA Director, then presented his FY2005 Annual Report to the committee.  He said that the hot topic is, of course, terrorism.  He feels that DeKalb County has worked really hard with all departments and other public entities to be as prepared for this as the County can be.  They have had a number of drills last year to help prepare, too. 

            He also said that the County is NIMS compliant and the main thing about being compliant is the money behind it.  If we are not compliant we will not receive any federal monies, which is for planning.  If we had a natural disaster like Katrina, we would still receive funding and assistance, but would not receive any pre-mitigation funds.

            Mr. Miller then spoke about the Katrina evacuees that have relocated here in DeKalb County for assistance.  We have been able to help some families and different groups were very generous, he further stated.

PUBLIC DEFENDER’S REPORT

            Mr. Ken Johnson, DeKalb County Public Defender, said that his numbers are consistent.  He said that the trial schedules are getting further and further spread out, which would indicate that the courts are very busy.  One of the reasons that they are more busy is because more and more issues are becoming felonies now.

            The money that he receives for the extra investigator for his office will not be available this year.  Most federal money is going to natural disasters and national security issues he believes.

            He has been attending the drug court meetings and is very impressed with Ms. Stromborg as the Coordinator.  She is doing an incredible job, he said.  

Mr. Johnson said that last week, in Springfield, there is an additional fee that is collected just for the mental health board on traffic tickets, and now they’ve introduced language to be added that the fee can also be used for drug courts to be collected on every traffic ticket issued. 

            Ms. Vary asked if Mr. Johnson had seen the article in the “Chicago Tribune” on meth courts?  He said yes, but that it would be a waste of taxpayer’s money in DeKalb County to create one because he has only had five cases involving meth.  Ms. Vary said that her point was that the article mentioned how much the drug courts are helping with these issues.

COURT SERVICES REPORT

            Ms. Margi Gilmour, Director of DeKalb County Court Services, said that in her adult report, of the 698 cases, 443 of those are active cases.  She also mentioned that about six or seven months ago her office took part in a pilot program for a new assessment that is mandated by the State, which is called the Learning Service Inventory Revised (LSIR).  It is time consuming because the interview process is very lengthy.  It is a tool that does a better job of assessing of what the offender’s risks are.  Research shows that those that score a minimum risk, don’t really need services. We need to target our intervention towards moderate and high risk offenders.  

            In her juvenile court services report it shows that there are 2 kids in residential placement. In December there were 12 kids detained.  Of the 12 detained, 6 were for the 1^st time, 2 were for the 2^nd time, 3 were for the 3^rd time and 1 is for the 4^th time.   She said that the January report would reflect a very busy month.

            Ms. Gilmour said that her department is doing well with the money for the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Kane County. They have approximately $80,000 left in the account for 2006, said Ms. Gilmour.  She also said that with the new IGA agreement that has been signed, DeKalb County will be paying only $80.00 per diem, which is very, very good.

JAIL MONTHLY REPORT       

            Chairman Leifheit said that the average population in the jail in January 2006 was 90 inmates.  She said that it appears that we are right on track with last year and that the Sheriff has budgeted more money for housing our inmates in other counties this year.

            Before adjourning, Chairman Leifheit, informed the committee that the Jail Population Review Committee has been called to reconvene.  This group consists of the “doers” who discuss what can the County do to keep the population numbers down.

            Ms. Vary asked if there is anything that this committee can do to help with the referendum in the Fall?  Chairman Leifheit said that she did not know of any group that has gotten together just yet on this subject.

ADJOURNMENT

            Moved by Ms. Turner, seconded by Ms. Vary, and it was carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting.

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        ________________________________  

                                                                        Sue Leifheit, Chairman

______________________________    

Mary C. Supple, Secretary

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