State’s Attorney Glasgow’s Drug Prosecution Unit honored by law enforcement for outstanding service

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October 23

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Knick, a member of the Drug Prosecution Unit, and administrative assistant, Kathy Kearney, the Secretary Supervisor for the unit, were recognized by the Illinois Metropolitan Enforcement Group Directors’ and Task Force Commanders’ Association at a banquet on Thursday, Oct. 9 in East Peoria.

Knick and Kearney were honored for their outstanding work in processing 858 narcotics cases during 2007 and 2008. The conviction rate for these cases was 95 percent. 

“I congratulate Mike Knick and Kathy Kearney on receiving this prestigious honor and for going above and beyond their duties to fight the war against drugs in Will County,” State’s Attorney Glasgow said. “Mike and Kathy, along with my entire Drug Prosecution Unit, have worked tirelessly with the Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad (MANS) and our local police departments over the past four years. The unit has seen a 50-percent increase in the number of search warrants granted to detectives who are conducting narcotics investigations. Working together, we are taking dangerous illegal drugs off our streets.”

Knick is the supervisor of the Drug Prosecution Unit, which prosecutes defendants accused of trafficking illegal narcotics. The Drug Prosecution Unit also cooperates with MANS and other law enforcement officers by coordinating search warrants that enable undercover detectives to infiltrate drug houses and secure evidence against drug dealers. 

Knick joined the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office in 1988. Since 1991, he has been assigned to the Drug Prosecution Unit. He was appointed supervisor of the unit in 2004.

Kearney, who has served with the Drug Prosecution Unit since 2005, is the unit’s secretary supervisor. She was recognized for her professionalism in coordinating the fluid transition of case files between MANS and the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office. 

The Illinois MEG Directors’ and Task Force Commanders’ Association hosts an annual award banquet to recognize the tireless efforts of those involved in drug enforcement.

Other local MANS members who were honored at the banquet were: Field Supervisor Mark Brunzie, Field Supervisor Sean Koren and Inspectors Tanya Paquette, Matthew Bejgrowicz, David Jackson, Jeff Purvis, and Dwayne Weis.