Joliet man sentenced to 20 years for sexually abusing two little girls

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JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that a 70-year-old man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexually abusing two little girls for whom he was baby-sitting.

Glenn Lawlor, of Joliet, was found guilty of one count of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse in August. Circuit Judge Carla Alessio Policandriotes, who presided over the bench trial and found Lawlor guilty, sentenced the defendant on Monday morning.

Lawlor abused the children on multiple occasions between February 2006 and March 2008 while he watched them for their mother. The children were ages 6 and 8 when the abuse began.

Both victims testified during the bench trial. The defendant also testified, telling the judge the children overpowered his ability to control himself.

Assistant State’s Attorneys Matt Guzman and Adam McAuley presented at trial physical evidence from a doctor who examined one of the girls and determined she had been sexually abused.

“Glenn Lawlor is a despicable child predator who will likely spend the remainder of his life in prison for his depraved and malevolent behavior,” State’s Attorney Glasgow said. “The truthful and courageous testimony from these two little girls enabled Will County Sheriff’s investigators, my prosecutors and Judge Policandriotes to protect other young children from becoming his prey.”

Will County Juvenile Justice Council invites educators, law enforcement to attend presentation on the heroin epidemic

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JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow invites law enforcement representatives, educators, township officials and juvenile justice professionals to a free presentation to address the epidemic of heroin use across the nation and in Will County. 

The free presentation is scheduled for 2 p.m. Nov. 10 in the Fourth Floor Probation Training Room at the Will County Court Annex, 57 N. Ottawa St., Joliet. The session is hosted by the Will County Juvenile Justice Council. State’s Attorney Glasgow is the chairman of the council.

A panel of experts will discuss the trends relating to the use of this potent and dangerous illegal drug by today’s youth.

  • Will County Coroner Patrick O’Neil will present on the topic of death investigations, including an overview of the rising numbers of heroin-related deaths in Will County since 1999.
  • Dr. Joseph Troiani, Director of Behavior Health Programs at the Will County Health Department, will present an overview of the use of heroin nationwide, including the origins, impacts and effects of the drug.
  • David Sutor from Rosecrance Treatment Center will talk about the methods used in the treatment of and recovery from drug addictions.
  • In addition, a representative from the Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad will discuss what law enforcement measures are being taken to stop the use and distribution of heroin

There will be a question and answer session following the presentations.

To register for this free training, call the Director of Crime Prevention Programs for the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, at (815) 727-8742 by Nov. 9.

State’s Attorney Glasgow speaks to National Hook-Up of Black Women about link between violent entertainment, domestic abuse

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November 2

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow, speaking to the Joliet Chapter of National Hook-Up of Black Women this weekend, called upon the community to reject ultra-violent popular entertainment that leads to violence against women.

State’s Attorney Glasgow, in a presentation to more than 60 women on Joliet’s East Side, outlined how his specialized domestic violence unit handles the prosecution of domestic abuse cases in Will County. His team of prosecutors and victim advocates works closely with domestic violence victims to encourage them to follow through with the prosecution of their abusers.

Because they are in relationships with their abusers, battered women often decline to appear in court to testify at trial, leaving prosecutors little choice but to dismiss the charges. But a $1.5 million federal grant has enabled the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office to pump additional resources into the specialized unit, which has succeeded in giving a greater number of victims the confidence to pursue their cases to conviction.

The state’s attorney also decried the extreme violence in many R-rated movies and video games, like Grand Theft Auto. This entertainment, particularly when placed by adults into the hands of children, desensitizes young minds to such behavior and promotes violence against women.

“Adults in our community must be aware of what is contained in these violent movies and videogames,” Glasgow said. “We must work at the grassroots level to stop domestic abuse. One critical step we can take is to refuse to allow our children access to such senseless and mind-numbing violence.”

The state’s attorney also encouraged men in the community to take a stand against domestic abuse. It sends a strong message to abusers when other men speak out against domestic battery and take the necessary steps to stop violence against women, he said.

State’s Attorney releases Spanish-language gang prevention book during seminar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church

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October 20

OLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow unveiled the new Spanish-language translation of his gang prevention book, “Gangs: Awareness, Prevention, Intervention,” to a crowd of more than 200 members of the Latino community during a gang prevention seminar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on Monday.

State’s Attorney Glasgow, Joliet Deputy Police Chief Mike Trafton, Joliet Township High School District Superintendent Dr. Paul Swanstrom, Joliet Graffiti Abatement Officer Jan Nahorski and Officer Moises Avila of the Joliet Police Department each discussed ways for concerned citizens to identify and address gang activity in their neighborhoods and schools. 

“I was gratified by the large number of community leaders and parents who came out on a Monday evening to learn more about protecting our neighborhoods from violent street gangs,” State’s Attorney Glasgow said. “I want to thank everyone at Our Lady of Mount Carmel for opening the doors to their beautiful church and allowing the State’s Attorney’s Office, the Joliet Police Department and Joliet Township High School District to present their parishioners with this important educational tool.”

The state’s attorney continued: “Successful crime prevention starts at the grassroots level. It is abundantly clear to me that the grassroots process already is well underway in the Our Lady of Mount Carmel community. My office, the police department and the school district have pledged their support to these crime prevention initiatives.”

“Gangs: Awareness, Prevention, Intervention,” is a 40-page, full-color educational book that provides information on the major gangs operating in Will County, as well as preventative measures parents and teachers can take to protect children from gang influences. The book was designed for parents and educators who are concerned about gang activities in their homes, neighborhoods and schools.

State’s Attorney Glasgow developed the book in cooperation with Joliet Township High School District’s YESS! Initiative and the Joliet Police Department. Funding for the Spanish-language translation was provided through a federal Safe Schools, Healthy Students grant awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The state’s attorney used money seized from criminals engaged in narcotics or money laundering to fund printing costs.

Copies of the gang prevention book in both Spanish and English are available free-of-charge to educators, community organizers and concerned parents who want to learn more about gang activity in their neighborhoods by calling the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office at (815) 727-8742.

State’s Attorney Glasgow to release Spanish-language gang prevention book at upcoming gang awareness seminar

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JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow will unveil the brand new Spanish-language version of his full-color gang prevention book later this month during a gang prevention seminar hosted by his office, the Joliet Police Department, Joliet Township High School District and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.

The gang prevention seminar is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., October 19 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 205 E. Jackson St., in Joliet. The event will mark the first time Spanish-language copies of the book, “Gangs: Awareness, Prevention, Intervention,” will be made available to concerned parents, educators and community leaders in the local Latino community.

State’s Attorney Glasgow, Joliet Deputy Police Chief Mike Trafton, Joliet Township High School District Superintendent Dr. Paul Swanstrom and Officer Moises Avila of the Joliet Police Department, will have a frank conversation with attendees about how to spot and how to combat street gang activity in their community. 

“The Hispanic population in Will County and in Joliet has grown at an unprecedented rate,” said State’s Attorney Glasgow. “We felt it was critical to make this vital information as easily accessible to as many people as possible. The Spanish-language translation of the gang prevention book will help us reach concerned parents and teachers who live in some of our neighborhoods where street gangs are most active.”

Between 2000 and 2007, Will County’s Latino population grew by 122 percent. Latinos now make up more than 14 percent of Will County’s total population. In addition, 7 percent of Will County residents speak Spanish as their primary language.

“Gangs: Awareness, Prevention, Intervention,” is a 40-page, full-color educational book that provides information on the major gangs operating in Will County, as well as preventative measures parents and teachers can take to protect children from gang influences.

The state’s attorney developed the book in cooperation with Joliet Township High School District’s YESS! Initiative. Funding for the Spanish-language translation was provided through a federal Safe Schools, Healthy Students grant awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The state’s attorney used money seized from criminals engaged in narcotics or money laundering to fund printing costs.

The English version of “Gangs: Awareness, Prevention, Intervention” is available for download on the state’s attorney’s Web site at https://willcountysao.com. The Spanish-language version will be available for download on the Web site in the near future.

Copies of the gang prevention book in both Spanish and English are available free-of-charge to educators, community organizers and concerned parents who want to learn more about gang activity in their neighborhoods by calling the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office at (815) 727-8742.

Man charged with murder in suffocation death of 4-month-old baby

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JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced today that his office has filed a first-degree murder charge against a 19-year-old Bolingbrook man accused of suffocating his 4-month-old baby.

Randel L. Thomas, of 185 Jeffrey Lane, Bolingbrook, is alleged in the charge to have “pushed down on the head of Christopher Thomas with his hand, thereby suffocating Christopher Thomas.”

At the request of the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, bond was set at $5 million. Thomas must post 10 percent of that amount, or $500,000, to secure his release while awaiting trial.

Thomas currently is in custody at the Will County Adult Detention Facility. He is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing at 9 a.m., October 26 in Courtroom 405 of the Will County Courthouse, 14 W. Jefferson St., Joliet.

Bolingbrook Police and Fire responded to a 911 call at 2:05 pm, Friday, Sept. 25 at the Jeffrey Lane residence in reference to a baby not breathing. Police and paramedics found a 5-month-old child unconscious and not breathing.

The infant was transported to Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital where he was pronounced dead later that day. 

The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office reminds the public that charges are not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

State’s Attorney Glasgow urges local businesses to seek payment for bounced checks through restitution program

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September 18

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow is making available to local businesses free posters that contain important information about his free Bad Check Restitution Program. 

The posters are part of State’s Attorney Glasgow’s campaign to encourage more Will County businesses to seek restitution for bounced checks through the free program. The posters can be displayed prominently by retailers and service providers to let people know that their businesses will aggressively pursue payment for every bounced check. 

“Every dollar counts when you’re in business during these difficult economic times,” Glasgow said. “Whether you’re a large corporation or a small shop owner, you can’t afford losses caused by those who knowingly write bad checks for the goods and services you provide. Don’t get stuck holding the bill. Let my office fight for you.”

Glasgow implemented the program in 2005. Since then, he has returned more than $1.5 million in restitution to Will County’s smallest businesses as well as to some of the nation’s largest retailers that operate locally. The program is free to Will County businesses.

The posters include the number to the Bad Check Hotline for business owners as well as a warning that those who knowingly write bad checks could face prosecution.

No taxpayer funds were used to print the posters. Printing was coordinated and paid for by the firm Corrective Solutions, which pursues restitution on behalf of the state’s attorney’s office before cases are reviewed for potential prosecution.

The posters have been distributed in the most recent Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry newsletter. They also are available free of charge at the chamber’s office at 63 N. Chicago St. in Joliet. Interested businesses also may call the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office at (815) 723-1630.

For simple instructions on how to use the program and to obtain necessary report forms, visit the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office Web site at willcountysao.com and click on the Bad Check Restitution Program menu item at the left. Or call the Bad Check Restitution Program Hotline at (866) 801-4885.

Naperville woman gets 30 months prison for false allegations that launched DCFS probe, frightened school officials

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September 18

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that a Naperville woman who wrote a series of anonymous letters that threatened and frightened Naperville School District 203 officials has been sentenced to 30 months in prison.

Rita Mueller, 50, was found guilty in February of disorderly conduct. In 2005, Mueller sent an anonymous letter to the principal of B.J. Ward Elementary School in Bolingbrook falsely alleging that a student at the school was being sexually abused by her father. The student was the daughter of a Naperville School District employee.

The one-count bill of indictment, handed up in August 2007, alleged that Mueller knew the principal was mandated by law to report the accusations to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, which launched an investigation that eventually cleared the father of the false allegations.

Associate Judge Edward Burmila sentenced Mueller Friday morning and ordered her taken into custody immediately by Will County Sheriff’s Police.

Throughout 2005 and 2006, Mueller embarked on a bizarre and abusive anonymous letter-writing campaign that targeted a variety of Naperville School District officials. She admitted to police that she sent a package containing feces to one school official and what appeared to be a used condom to another.

She admitted to sending another anonymous letter to a local newspaper falsely alleging that a school administrator’s daughter was involved in a hit-and-run collision. The letter sparked a police investigation that eventually cleared the administrator’s daughter.

One Naperville school received anonymous letters falsely alleging that an athletic coach had promised to swim naked in a pool if the team performed well at a meet.

Another letter to a school social worker stated that the anonymous writer had a premonition that the social worker’s children were going to die in a fire and that the writer’s premonitions always come true. And she sent a sympathy card to another school official regarding the deaths of her two children when, in fact, the children were alive.

“Rita Mueller is going to prison because of her reckless disregard for the reputations of both adults and children,” State’s Attorney Glasgow said. “Her false allegations were sinister and depraved. These are the kinds of accusations that can ruin careers and lives.”

Before handing down the prison sentence, which was only six months less than the maximum penalty of three years, Judge Burmila said Mueller literally “terrorized” the targeted school officials.

Mueller’s campaign was sparked by her belief that school officials had been unfair in their treatment of her own daughter, who was a student in the district.

Assistant State’s Attorneys Mary Fillipitch and Colleen Griffin secured the guilty verdict in February. They also presented testimony regarding the letters and Mueller’s admissions during a sentencing hearing that began in August and concluded Friday.

Joliet Exchange Club contributes $2,500 to Will County Children’s Advocacy Center

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September 16

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow thanked Joliet Exchange Club members for their generous contribution of $2,500 to the not-for-profit Will County Children’s Advocacy Center during a luncheon at Al’s Steakhouse on Tuesday.

Exchange Club President Laurie McPhillips presented State’s Attorney Glasgow with the check. The club also provided a $2,500 sponsorship for the Advocacy Center’s “Men Who Cook” fund raiser earlier this year.

The state’s attorney established the center in 1995 to improve the way allegations of child sexual abuse are investigated.

Distinguished former judge named Criminal Division Chief for Will County State’s Attorney’s Office

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September 14

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced today that he has named retired Will County Judge Robert Lorz as the Chief of his Criminal Division.

Lorz, who retired in December 2008, has presided over every criminal and civil call with the sole exception of the probate call during his 22 years on the bench. The distinguished former judge brings to the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office a wealth of experience accumulated over his 33-year legal career.

As the Criminal Division Chief, Lorz will supervise 40 assistant state’s attorneys who are responsible for the charging and prosecution of every felony and misdemeanor case handled by the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office. In 2008, the state’s attorney’s office charged 3,043 felony cases and 5,216 misdemeanor cases.

Lorz tentatively is scheduled to start work with the state’s attorney’s office on Oct. 1.

“I have known Bob for over 30 years, and he is an outstanding addition to this office,” said State’s Attorney Glasgow. “He has an extraordinary sense of fairness and justice, along with a keen intellect. He makes an already formidable staff even stronger in my mission to make Will County safe for all of our families to live and prosper.”

Lorz was appointed to the bench as an associate judge in March 1987 and served four chief judges over those two decades. In July 2007, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed him as a circuit judge in the 12th Judicial Circuit’s newly created Second Sub Circuit, a position he held until his retirement in December 2008.

Lorz spent half of his career on the bench presiding over the 12th Judicial Circuit’s various civil calls and the other half presiding over the circuit’s criminal calls, including both felony and misdemeanor calls. As a judge, he was certified by the Illinois Supreme Court to preside over felony cases.

Lorz also presided over juvenile cases. As a juvenile court judge, he instituted the truancy call, which involved the local court in the process of getting truant children off Will County’s streets and back into the classrooms.

“I was honored that Jim Glasgow asked me to head his criminal division,” Lorz said. “It was a privilege to serve the citizens of Will County as a judge, and I welcome this opportunity to serve them in a new capacity. I am looking forward to this challenge.”

Before becoming a judge, Lorz worked for the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office for several years in the middle and late 1970s as a prosecutor in the criminal division. He later served in the office’s civil division, where he provided critical legal advice to Will County Board members and their top administrators.

Lorz also served for six years as an assistant corporation counsel for the City of Joliet in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He was a trial attorney for Joliet, representing the city and its citizens skillfully in local court as well as at the federal level. 

Lorz also worked as an attorney in the private sector for several years in both Will and Cook Counties.

He is a 1975 graduate of Northwestern University Law School and received his undergraduate degree from Northern Illinois University. A Will County resident for more than 30 years, he currently lives in Shorewood with his wife, Judy. He has one son, Michael, who is attending New York University.