May 6

JOLIET – The Shorewood Police Department recently presented Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow with a $2,000 donation to the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center to assist in the fight against child sexual abuse.

The Children’s Advocacy Center was chosen as one of the beneficiaries of the department’s annual charity golf outing, which was held last year. Commander Eric Allen and Officer Paul Hulbert of the Shorewood Police Department presented the contribution to State’s Attorney James Glasgow.

The Children’s Advocacy Center’s professionally trained staff interviews children who are the victims of sexual abuse. The children’s statements, which are recorded in a non-suggestive, non-threatening environment, have been used in the successful prosecution of hundreds of sexual predators over the past decade.

The state’s attorney established the Children’s Advocacy Center in 1995 as a 501-c-3 non-profit organization that relies on grants, local funding and fundraisers to fulfill its important mission. Glasgow, who serves as the chairman of the center’s board of directors, thanked Shorewood Police for a generous contribution that enables the center to continue its work on behalf of vulnerable children.

“We are grateful to the Shorewood Police Department for choosing the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center as a beneficiary of the funding it raised during its annual charity golf outing,” Glasgow said. “This funding not only enables the center to operate, it demonstrates that our local police departments value the important work performed by our trained and caring staff.”

The Will County Children’s Advocacy Center is a member of the United Way of Will County. For more information, contact the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center at (815) 774-4565, or visit the Web site at http://www.willcountychildrensadvocacy.org.

PHOTO CAPTION: Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow (middle) accepts a check from Commander Eric Allen (left) and Officer Paul Hulbert (right) of the Shorewood Police Department on behalf of the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center. The center’s professionally trained staff interviews children who are the victims of sexual abuse. Recorded statements made by the children are used in the prosecution of sexual abusers.

April 11

ROMEOVILLE – There is still time to register to attend the 2013 HERO HELPS Community forum during which the WhiteHouse’s Deputy Drug Czar will join Will County leaders in outlining strategiesto address the heroin abuse epidemic.

Michael Botticelli, deputy director of theOffice of National Drug Control Policy, will present the keynote address at the2013 Hero Helps Community Forum slated for April 19 at Lewis University inRomeoville. The forum runs from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Registration on theday of the event begins at 7:45 a.m.

Continuing Education Credits throughIllinois Alcohol and Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association, Inc.,Silver Cross Hospital and Aurora University are available to healthcareprofessionals, social workers, counselors and substance abuse treatment andprevention providers who attend the April 19 forum. Four CME units or CEU’swill be available for healthcare professionals, LCSW’s, LCPC’s, and allIAODAPCA certification categories at no charge.

Deputy Director Botticelli has more thantwo decades of experience supporting people affected by substance abusedisorders. Prior to joining the Obama Administration, he served as Director ofthe Bureau of Substance Abuse Services at the Massachusetts Department ofPublic Health, where he developed and expanded innovative and nationally recognized prevention,intervention, treatment and recovery programs.

“Drug use inAmerica should be treated as a public health issue, not a moral or just acriminal justice issue,” Botticelli said. “Decades of scientific researchdemonstrate beyond a doubt that substance use disorders – the underlying causeof too much harm to our citizens – is a disease that can be successfullyprevented and treated. The good news is that we are not powerless against thischallenge and we are making a difference.”

Other speakers at the forum will include:James Roache, FBI-Chicago Division; Kathleen Burke, Robert Crown Center forHealth Education; Dr. Lamar Hasbrouck, Illinois Department of Public Health;Dr. David Mikolajczak, Silver Cross Hospital; Dr. Seth Eisenberg, IllinoisDepartment of Human Services, Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse; and Dr.Steven Aks, Toxikon Consortium and Cook County Health and Hospital System.

 “This synchronized public health strategy is critical to oursuccess in reducing the number of heroin overdose deaths in our county,” saidPaul Lauridsen, clinical director for Stepping StonesTreatment Center. “We are honored to have the Deputy Director of the ONDCPechoing our message on this vital health issue.”

The 2013 Hero Helps Community Forum will beheld the JFK Sports Complex on the campus of Lewis University, One UniversityParkway, Romeoville.  For moreinformation, visit the HERO HELPS Web site: www.herohelpsevent.org.

March 25

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announces that the Will County Drug Court will graduate the 300th person to successfully complete the program and begin leading a drug-free life.

Danielle Heino, of Wilmington, will be one of 14 participants who will graduate from the program during a ceremony scheduled for 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 28 at the Will County Office Building, 302 N. Chicago Street in Joliet. The public is invited to attend the event.

Heino, who is a recovering heroin addict, officially has been designated the Drug Court’s 300th graduate. She will speak at the ceremony about her personal experiences working through Drug Court program as well as how she has moved on with her life. Heino also has made frank presentations to teenagers and adults at various community forums where she talked about how her heroin addiction nearly destroyed her life.

Other Drug Court participants who will graduate next week are from Joliet, Homer Glen, Crete, Berwyn, Bolingbrook, Wilmington, Channahon, Crest Hill and Plainfield.

In Drug Court, prosecutors and defense attorneys work with the judge and treatment providers to help abusers who have committed non-violent offenses battle their addictions and reclaim control of their lives. Those allowed into the intensive program are carefully screened and must remain drug free, submit to random drug tests, find employment, follow through with treatment and attend weekly Drug Court sessions.

State’s Attorney Glasgow spearheaded the creation of the program in the late 1990s. Circuit Judge Carla Alessio Policandriotes presides over Drug Court.

“Drug Court has enabled graduates like Danielle Heino kick their addictions and return to their communities as productive citizens,” said State’s Attorney Glasgow. “Danielle has spoken honestly and eloquently over the past year about her devastating struggle with heroin addiction. Her presentation during next week’s graduation ceremony will provide important life lessons to anyone who is listening. I join Judge Policandriotes and the entire Drug Court team in wishing Danielle and every graduate all the best that their new lives have to offer.”

For information on Drug Court, visit www.willcountysao.com and click on Special Courts.

March 15

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that a Bolingbrook man has been charged with five counts of possession of child pornography.

Antonio Rubio, 50, of 1026 Beaconridge Ave., was arrested March 14 after a joint investigation by the Will County State’s Attorney’s High Technology Crimes Unit and the Bolingbrook Police Department. Rubio was arrested Thursday at his residence after detectives executed a search warrant on the apartment where he lives with his fiancé.

The arrest was the result of a three-month investigation launched by the Will County State’s Attorney’s High Technology Crimes Unit into the distribution of child pornography over the Internet. Detectives took possession of Rubio’s computers pursuant to the search warrant.

Rubio’s bond was set at $100,000. He must post 10 percent, or $10,000, to secure his release while he awaits trial. As conditions of his bond, he is prohibited from using a computer and from having unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18. He is scheduled to appear in court next on April 5.

The charges are Class 2 felonies that carry a penalty of three to seven years in prison upon conviction. If the public has information pertaining to the arrest of Antonio Rubio, please contact the Will County High Technology Crimes Unit at (815) 732-1632.

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.

March 1

JOLIET – The Will County Children’s Advocacy Center and Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow invite everyone to dinner at the Fifth Annual “Men Who Cook” culinary competition from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at the Pipefitters Training Center Local 597 at 10850 187th Street in Mokena.

Fifty amateur chefs – local guys from right here in our community – will fire up their ovens to cook their favorite home recipes for hundreds of guests at the annual fundraising competition to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center, a not-for-profit agency that helps children who are the victims of sexual and physical abuse.

Save the date and come ready to eat. Amateur cooks will offer bite-size samples of their best home-cooked meals – the dishes they serve their own families.  After making the rounds, guests will vote for their favorite dish in each of four categories: appetizer, side dish, entrée, and dessert.  

It’s an inexpensive and exciting way to support the Children’s Advocacy Center and cheer on your favorite chef. The cost to sample the fine cuisine is an affordable $40 per person; $75 per couple. The price is $10 for children 6-12; kids 5 and under can attend for free.

And don’t get fancy by dressing up. It’s a casual evening.

“There are many guys right here in our community who really know how to cook, and our annual competition gives them the opportunity to showcase their culinary talents,” said State’s Attorney Glasgow, who founded the Children’s Advocacy Center in 1995 and chairs its Board of Directors.  “Our guests will find cuisine from across the globe – from the American South to Eastern Europe; from Italy to China; it’s a diverse menu. No one will leave hungry.”

WJOL’s Lynne, Mary and Natalie will return to the “Men Who Cook” Red Carpet this year to greet guests and serve as hostesses. And Jackson, a licensed therapy dog who greets children at the Advocacy Center, will pay a visit. New this year: Kids Corner with all kinds of activities for younger guests
State’s Attorney Glasgow established the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center in 1995 to improve investigations of child sexual abuse cases. The center’s professionally trained and compassionate staff performs child-sensitive interviews when there are allegations of sexual or severe physical abuse. Children’s recorded statements have been used in the successful prosecution of hundreds of predators.

The State’s Attorney founded the center as a 501-c-3 non-profit organization so it would not impact taxpayers. As a result, the center relies on grants, foundations and fundraisers like “Men Who Cook” to operate.

Tickets for “Men Who Cook” are available on-line at www.menwhocook.info or they can be purchased at the door.  If you have any questions, contact the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center at (815) 774-4565 or visit on the Web at www.willcountychildrensadvocacy.org, www.menwhocook.info or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/menwhocook.

There are still a limited number of spots available for men who are interested in cooking. For information, call (815) 774-4565.