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.

October 15

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that the State’s Attorney’s Office at 121 N. Chicago Street in Joliet will be a designated drop-off location for donations to Operation Care Package.

Operation Care Package is a non-profit organization dedicated to sending care packages and letters of encouragement to U.S. troops serving overseas. The organization mails weekly shipments of packages year-round and hopes to reach 10,000 service men and women this holiday season. 

“Organizations like Operation Care Package provide important support for the heroic men and women who are fighting overseas in defense of our country and our freedom,” State’s Attorney Glasgow said. “Donations through Operation Care Package remind our soldiers during the holiday season that we continue to honor their sacrifices. The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office is proud to support Operation Care Package in its mission: ‘Let no hero be forgotten.’”

Operation Care Package is in need of the following items:

• Non-perishable food items such as dried fruits, nuts, beef jerky, protein bars, trail mix, instant oatmeal or canned fruit, tuna or soups; 
• New or used DVDs, CDs, hand-held games, card games, and sports equipment; 
• Men’s black or white crew socks, brown or white t-shirts; 
• Toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shaving cream and other toiletries; 
• Batteries, vitamins, Tylenol, mosquito repellant, quart or gallon size Ziploc bags; 
• Donations for postage or first-class stamps; 
• Cards and letters of support. 
  

“We appreciate State’s Attorney Glasgow’s willingness to volunteer his office to be a drop-off point for Operation Care Package,” said Pat Curran, a co-founder of the organization. “All of the items we provide to our soldiers are donated. This new drop-off location will make it more convenient for people to make those donations.”

State’s Attorney Glasgow also has proudly supported our military veterans by providing a new ADA-accessible, 20-seat shuttle bus for use by the Veterans Assistance Commission of Will County. The bus transports local veterans from Joliet to Hines VA Hospital where they receive necessary medical services. 

More information on Operation Care Package can be found on the organization’s Web site at http://www.operationcarepackages.org. For more information, call (815) 954-7438.

October 9

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that a Joliet man was convicted Wednesday (Oct. 8, 2008) of first-degree murder for gunning down an unarmed man who was sitting in a car two years ago.

Corrie Wallace, 25, of the 300 block of North Chicago Street, Joliet, was found guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm. Wallace shot and killed Hallie Parrish, who was with friends inside a vehicle in the 800 block of Robin Lane on the afternoon of March 1, 2006.

Wallace faces up to 85 years in prison when he is sentenced by Circuit Judge Daniel Rozak on Dec. 15.

Wallace, who was wearing a black mask over his head at the time of the shooting, ran up to the passenger-side of the vehicle while firing a silver, 45-caliber handgun. He fired at least nine rounds, several of which struck Parrish in the head and chest. Parrish was the driver. A passenger in the vehicle also was struck in the arm but survived the shooting.

“Corrie Wallace is a vicious thug who cut down an unarmed man in broad daylight,” State’s Attorney Glasgow said. “He displayed unparalleled arrogance by returning to the crime scene to brag about his exploits after he ditched his mask and weapon. Our streets will be safer with this cold-blooded killer in prison.”

At least one eyewitness who testified during the seven-day jury trial saw Wallace remove his mask near the scene. Another witness saw the masked gunman run behind a townhouse, and then moments later, saw an unmasked Wallace emerge from inside wearing the same clothes he wore during the shooting. 

Wallace also was linked to the shooting through ballistics. Bullets retrieved at the crime scene matched unused bullets found inside the townhouse, which belonged to Wallace’s girlfriend. The defendant had a key to the townhouse in his possession when he was arrested. The weapon, a 45-caliber handgun, was never recovered.

Police, however, recovered the mask. DNA samples taken from the mask matched Wallace’s DNA. And he had gunshot residue on the backs of his hands.

The state’s attorney credited Joliet Police Chief Fred Hayes and his team of detectives, Dave Jackson, Carlos Matlock and Robert Brown, for their thorough investigation that enabled his prosecutors to secure an important conviction.

Glasgow also praised his prosecutors, Assistant State’s Attorneys Steve Platek and Michael Knick, for their skillful handling of this case. 

“These are two expert trial attorneys whose presentation of the testimony and evidence left jurors absolutely no doubt as to who committed this brutal shooting,” Glasgow said.

Chief Hayes said: “A ruthless cold-blooded killer has been removed from the streets of Joliet. I would like to personally thank Will County States Attorney Jim Glasgow for his outstanding, aggressive prosecution efforts led by Assistants Mike Knick and Steve Platek.”

The chief added: “Joliet Police Detectives Carlos Matlock, Dave Jackson, and Robert Brown worked tirelessly to solve this brutal murder, and I’m proud of their outstanding police work. The state’s attorney’s office did an exceptional job working closely with Joliet Police detectives and spent countless hours to ensure justice was served. Undoubtedly, the streets of Joliet are safer because of this successful prosecution.”

The state’s attorney also applauded his support staff, including legal secretaries Sandy Dempsey, Kathy Kearney, Nikkol McGuire, Janet Skiniotes and Valerie Walsh, all of whom worked extra hours transcribing hundreds of hours of recorded jailhouse conversations that revealed Wallace’s attempts to bribe or coerce witnesses into giving false testimony during the trial.

“This was a team effort on the part of my staff in every sense of the word,” Glasgow said. “They went above and beyond the call of duty to put a dangerous killer behind bars.”

September 16

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow on Tuesday (Sept. 16, 2008) christened the new, ADA-accessible shuttle bus his office purchased for use by the Veterans Assistance Commission of Will County.

The air-conditioned, 20-seat shuttle bus, which the state’s attorney purchased using money forfeited to the state by criminals, will be used to transport local veterans from Joliet to Hines VA Hospital where they receive necessary medical services. The shuttle bus cost $57,000. No taxpayer funding was used to pay for the bus.

In addition to the symbolic christening, Tuesday’s dedication ceremony included the posting of colors by The American Legion Post 1080 Color Guard and a blessing by the Rev. Chris Groh, who is also the chaplain of the Joliet Police Department.

“We can never repay our local veterans whose selfless dedication and sacrifice were critical to the defense of our country and our freedom,” State’s Attorney Glasgow said. “We as a society must do everything in our power to ensure that their needs are met. They deserve access to health care in a way that respects their dignity and demonstrates our deep gratitude for their loyalty and courage. I am honored that I have been given the opportunity to play a role in securing their transportation to and from Hines Hospital for these medical services.”

The existing bus was constantly in need of repair and had become too small to meet the needs of our local veterans.

“On behalf of the County of Will and the Veterans Assistance Commission of Will County, Inc., I would like to thank Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow for his generous donation of the new VAC van, a 20-seat, ADA-accessible shuttle bus,” said Jim Denbow, superintendent of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Will County. “This donation will allow the VAC to expand on the previous services of the 14-passenger van, allowing more than 6,000 veterans free rides to Hines VA Hospital. The VAC has services available for the 41,783 Will County veterans.”

Glasgow recognized the crucial need for improved transportation and looked for a resourceful way to secure the funding necessary to purchase the vehicle for the veterans. The office began by scrutinizing state law governing the use of funds seized under the Money Laundering Statute.

After that review, the state’s attorney determined that this money, which is forfeited to the state by convicted criminals who were engaged in narcotics or money laundering, could be used appropriately to enforce the Americans With Disabilities Act and various state and federal laws that provide for comprehensive medical treatment to veterans.

Glasgow also took steps to ensure that the comfortable new shuttle bus will include a DVD player so veterans can view educational programs and/or movies during the ride to and from Hines. The system, which will be installed in the near future, is being donated by SS Automotive Group/Joliet with assistance from Bill Jacobs Chevrolet.

The state’s attorney also collaborated with Tom White, president/business manager of Teamsters Local 179, to arrange for a roster of retired commercially licensed drivers to volunteer to drive the new bus.

The Veterans Assistance Commission of Will County also provides advocacy services and emergency financial assistance to military veterans and their families.

September 5

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow recently accepted a $10,000 contribution from faculty and students of Joliet West High School on behalf of the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center.

The money was raised by more than 600 participants in the annual Steelmen 5K Race held June 1 at the Chicagoland Speedway. The race was hosted by Joliet West High School’s Business Management and Information Systems Academy and co-chaired by teachers Brian Newman and Todd Cumming. The money was collected through registration fees and donations from area businesses.

“We are grateful to Joliet West’s Business Management and Information Systems Academy for choosing the Children’s Advocacy Center as the beneficiary of the money raised during the annual Steelmen 5K Race,” Glasgow said. “The funding provided by Joliet West High School will enable the center to continue its crucial mission of protecting vulnerable children in our local community by prosecuting sexual abusers.”

Glasgow founded the Children’s Advocacy Center in 1995 to improve the way cases of child sexual abuse are investigated and to limit the trauma to these young and vulnerable victims. 

“The students and staff in our academy read about the Children’s Advocacy Center and thought it would make a great local charity for our race,” 5K director and Joliet West teacher Brian Newman said. “After visiting the center, they really felt passionately about supporting it. With the turnout from participants and the donations from the community, it is obvious that others saw this as a worthy cause as well. We feel fortunate to know that we were able to help our community.”

The not-for-profit center’s professionally-trained staff interviews children who are the victims of sexual abuse in a non-threatening, non-suggestive environment. The children’s recorded statements have been used in the successful prosecution of literally hundreds of sexual predators in Will, Grundy and Kendall counties over the past 13 years. Last year, the center’s staff interviewed 350 children.

The Will County Children’s Advocacy Center is a 501-c-3 non-profit organization. The center relies on grants, local funding, foundations, and fund raisers to operate and fulfill its critical mission of protecting children. The center also is a member of both United Way of Will County and Grundy County.

For more information, contact The Will County Children’s Advocacy Center at (815) 774-4565, or visit the Web site at www.willcountychildrensadvocacy.org.