DeKalb Times

DeKalb County Law & Justice Committee met July. 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Law & Justice Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Monday, July 28, 2025, in the Conference Room East in Sycamore, Illinois. Chair Kathy Lampkins called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Those members present were John Frieders, Rhonda Henke, Laura Hoffman, Elizabeth Lundeen, Ellingsworth Webb, and Chair Kathy Lampkins.

A quorum was established with six members present and two absent. Scott Campbell and Terri Mann-Lamb were absent.

Others present included Coroner Linda Besler, Public Defender Chip Criswell, and Court Services Director Michael Venditti.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Ellingsworth Webb moved to approve the agenda, Elizabeth Lundeen seconded the motion, and the motion was approved.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

John Frieders moved to approve the minutes of the April 28, 2025 committee meeting. Rhonda Henke seconded the motion, and the motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

Presentation From CASA DeKalb County

Chair Lampkins introduced CASA Executive Director Jessica Sandlund. Sandlund reviewed the Organization Summary provided in the meeting packet. She emphasized that CASA is always training and recruiting volunteers. Sandlund outlined the role volunteers play in the organization and reviewed volunteer responsibilities. Sandlund explained the challenges the organization has in managing cases that involve children placed outside of DeKalb County and she underscored the importance of recruiting volunteers that have the ability to travel.

Sandlund thanked the committee members for their support.

RESOLUTIONS

R2025-056 – A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Mutual Aid Agreement with the Illinois Coroners and Medical Examiners Association.

Chair Lampkins reminded committee members that R2025-056 had been initially discussed during the Law & Justice Committee meeting in April and that the item was tabled to allow the State’s Attorney’s office time to review the resolution and to provide an opportunity for the coroner to be present during the meeting to discuss additional details.

Rhonda Henke moved to advance Resolution R2025-056 to the full county board. Elizabeth Lundeen seconded the motion. Coroner Linda Besler provided additional details, explaining that the current agreement was implemented in 2012, and that an update is needed. The motion carried via voice vote.

REPORTS

Sheriff’s Office

Chair Lampkinsstated that Sheriff Sullivan is out of town, and she referenced the monthly reports that are included in the packet. Ellingsworth Webb alerted the committee to an error in the Jail Population Report for May that reflects 247 medical transports for the month. Webb outlined that this figure should be “27”.

Court Services

Court Services Director Mike Venditti reviewed that the current labor contract will be expiring in November and that negotiations are to begin soon.

Venditti mentioned that Pretrial Services has been approved for accreditation renewal with the National Association of Pretrial Service Agencies. He added that DeKalb County Pretrial Services remains one of only a few agencies in the nation to earn national accreditation.

Venditti stated that the Adult Probation Unit was recently audited by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts and that although formal audit results are not yet available, immediate feedback is overwhelmingly positive.

Venditti reviewed the Court Services reports contained in the packet and stated that the department has been busy. He added that there has been a spike in new adult cases for community service and in the number of hours ordered. Venditti stated that the department is experiencing the largest case volume during his tenure with DeKalb County.

Venditti mentioned that the juvenile detention per diem has increased without warning and that the additional expense may have a negative impact on the budget.

Venditti stated that Court Services has entered into an agreement with Northern Illinois University to review risk assessments and programming that will potentially assist in better directing resources. Venditti added that there will be no cost to the county for the review.

Public Defender

Public Defender Chip Criswell reviewed the reports contained in the packet and added that his department is fully staffed.

Criswell referenced the pending legislation that will reform the state’s public defender system and reporting structure.

OLD BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

None

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Rhonda Henke and seconded by Elizabeth Lundeen to adjourn the meeting. The motion was carried, and the meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.

https://dekalbcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/packet-lj-08252025.pdf