DeKalb County, Illinois

Minutes of the
Law & Justice Committee

September 19, 2011

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DRAFT

LAW AND JUSTICE COMMITTEE

MINUTES

September 19, 2011

The Law and Justice Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Monday, September 19, 2011, at 6:30 p.m. in the DeKalb County Legislative Center’s Gathertorium.  Chairman Marlene Allen called the meeting to order. Committee members present were Ken Andersen, Riley Oncken, Steve Reid, Anita Turner and Derek Tyson.  Others present were Sheriff Scott, Janie Torma, Margi Gilmour and Clay Campbell.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

Moved by Mr. Oncken, seconded by Mr. Tyson, and it was carried unanimously to approve the minutes from August 2011.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Mr. Oncken asked to amend the agenda to include an Executive Session for a personnel issue. Chairman Allen said to place it on the agenda as item #8a.

Moved by Mr. Oncken, seconded by Mr. Tyson, and it was carried unanimously to approve the amended agenda.

SHERIFF’S AUXILLIARY REPORT AND JAIL REPORT – SHERIFF ROGER SCOTT

DeKalb County Sheriff Roger Scott gave a brief update to the committee on the Auxiliary Report and Jail Report.

He said that the Jail report remains consistent with the average population last month showing 142 inmates.  They have about 80 people in house and send the rest of the inmates to outside facilities.  If everything holds consistent with what they have seen so far this year, he feels that they will be a little over $1 million in spending for outside rental costs for inmates.  

With regards to the Auxiliary Report, Sheriff Scott said that the auxiliary has been around since 1966 and are all volunteers.  Membership was in the high 70’s then and currently the membership is 26.  So far this year they have worked 653 hours, which does not include the Sandwich Fair.  For the Fair alone they worked 632 hours.  They have a County budget that amounts to $8500.00 for uniforms, batteries and such.  They do get reimbursements for mileage if they use their own cars to travel to events. 

Chairman Allen asked if they receive any training?

Sheriff Scott said yes, they have 40 hours of training and they learn CPR. They have ongoing training meetings once a month.  When they first come on duty they also are trained with mentors for at least 24 hours.  Some people that have attended Citizens Academy have also come on board to volunteer for the Auxiliary.  The next Citizens Academy is scheduled for January 2012.

CHILDREN’S WAITING ROOM UPDATED – MS. JANIE TORMA

Ms. Janie Torma, of the DeKalb County Children’s Waiting Room gave a brief update on her department.  She said that they have served 2,922 kids since they opened.  They really only have enough room for 6 kids at a time in the room.  They have 3 substitute teachers and 2 permanent staff members.  They still give a book to each child and they even have Spanish and bilingual books too.  They receive $5.00 for each civil case to help fund the room.  Carson’s Community Days also helps fund there room with $5.00 for each book sold and from this latest event they collected $500.00. 

Mr. Oncken made a suggestion that the courthouse could really use the room open on Monday and Tuesday mornings.  There is a real need for them to be open especially on Monday mornings.  He suggested taking away from another morning during the week that doesn’t have as much of a need as Monday mornings.

Ms. Torma said that she would check into that for him.

COURT SERVICES – MARGI GILMOUR

Ms. Gilmour submitted her monthly reports.  She said that her adult report shows that they had 19 cases in August with 15 cases successfully discharged.  The community services hours ordered in August were 12,667 hours and 5,253 hours were completed. They had 6 admissions last month.

            She said that there were 10 kids detained for the month of August and 10 kids released.  They still have one young man at Focus House. 

            She also said that there were 3 people who graduated from the STEP Program.  They are still looking for foster care parents for the Safe House and that they will even look at a single person who may be interested. 

PUBLIC DEFENDER’S REPORT

Chairman Allen said that in August the Public Defender’s office shows an increase for the month of August where 2,526 cases were opened compared to 2,164 in July.  They also closed 2,450 cases in August and closed 2,137 cases in July. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION – PERSONNEL

Moved by Mr. Oncken, seconded by Mr. Tyson, and it was carried unanimously to move into executive session to discuss a personnel issue.

Moved by Mr. Oncken, seconded by Mr. Tyson, and it was carried unanimously to return to open session.  No action taken.

ADJOURNMENT

Moved by Mr. Anderson, seconded by Mr. Oncken, and it was carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

_________________________________

Marlene Allen, Chairman

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