March 30

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announces that the 9th annual Men Who Cook culinary competition to benefit the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center was the biggest and best ever, with a huge crowd sampling the finest cuisine offered by our amateur chefs.

More than 1,000 guests, by all counts a record-smashing Men Who Cook turnout, tasted the widest variety of entrees, side dishes, appetizers, and desserts offered by a roster of new chefs and returning favorites on March 25 at the Pipefitters Training Center.

State’s Attorney James Glasgow with the 2017 Men Who Cook Best Display First Place Winners, the Channahon Police Department’s Craig Gunty, Channahon Mayor Missey Schumacher, Andrew McClellan, Paul Potts, and Brian Wellner. The Ninth annual Men Who Cook culinary competition to benefit the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center drew the largest and hungriest crowd in its history and shattered a fundraising record.

In addition, the 2017 Men Who Cook shattered a record by raising $100,000 that will fund the not-for-profit Will County Children’s Advocacy Center, which provides hope, healing and justice for children who are the victims of sexual abuse.

“Our amateur chefs outdid themselves this year with amazing dishes that enthralled the largest and hungriest crowd in the history of Men Who Cook,” said State’s Attorney Glasgow. “I have never tasted so much great food in one location. Each year I find it more difficult to decide which dishes I enjoyed the best.”

The hungry crowd voted online to determine who would take home ribbons as this year’s award-winning chefs:First Place:

• Entrée – Joseph Angelo Garbin, Mediterranean Pork Tenderloin with Homemade Pita and Tzatziki Sauce;
• Side Dish – Channahon Police Department, Craig Gunty, Andrew McClellan, Paul Potts, and Brian Wellner, Voodoo Mac & Cheese;
• Appetizer – Tie; Duffy Blackburn, Bacon-Wrapped Dates; and Tom Grotovsky, Beef Tenderloin Bits Au Poivre;
• Dessert – Chris Dieter, Red Velvet Churros;
• Best Display – Channahon Police Department, Craig Gunty, Andrew McClellan, Paul Potts, and Brian Wellner.

Entrée First Place Winner Joseph Angelo Garbin (second from right), with serving helpers Karen Rende Shinners, Debbie Garbin and Scott Shinners.Second and Third Places:

• Entrée – Second, Frankfort Police Department, Smoked Beef Brisket; Third, Patrick Magee and Marty Swart, Ecolab, Applewood Barbecue Chicken and Baked Beans;
• Appetizer – Second, John Dieter, Sausage Cups; Third, Michael DiTola, D’Arcy Motors, Mike’s Fabulous Swine (Candied Bacon);
• Side Dish – Second, The Marcums, Mac and Cheese; Third, Kris A Cheranichit, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Asian Sausage and Papaya Salad;
• Dessert – Second, Will County Executive Larry Walsh, Irene’s Famous Caramels; Third, Crest Hill Mayor Ray Soliman, Potica;
• Best Display – Second, Will County F.O.O.L.S; Third, Raymond Boutté, Citgo Lemont Refinery.

This year, State’s Attorney Glasgow also presented Ann Dralle with the first annual Glen Marcum Selfless Dedication to Community Service Award. Glen devoted countless hours of time each year to the Joliet community in roles that touched many lives. He was particularly dedicated to serving the community’s children, ensuring they had first-rate educational and recreational opportunities.

A former Will County Board member and a member of the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center’s Board of Directors, Dralle embodies the spirit of community service that was a hallmark of the late Glen’s life. In addition, the State’s Attorney presented the Marcum family with a statuette commemorating the first award given in Glen’s honor.

The State’s Attorney also presented statuettes to Men Who Cook’s presenting sponsors: “D” Construction; Ed Czerkies; Midland States Bank; and Laborers International Local #2.

State’s Attorney Glasgow established the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center in 1995 to improve the investigation 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 thousands of predators. The caring team also has provided counseling, advocacy services, and medical referrals for nearly 10,000 sexually and severely abused children and their family members.

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

February 22

JOLIET – The pressure is on for 50 local amateur chefs who are planning menus and plotting strategies for the Ninth Annual “Men Who Cook” culinary competition to benefit the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center.

New cooks and returning favorite chefs will whet the crowd’s appetites with bite-sized morsels of their favorite dishes. Come hungry and be prepared to sample the widest variety of entrees, appetizers, side dishes, and desserts in the most anticipated cooking contest in Will County.

“Men Who Cook” is from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, March 25 at the Pipefitters Training Center off I-80 at 10850 187th Street in Mokena.

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow, who established the Children’s Advocacy Center in 1995, invites the public to taste the home-cooked dishes offered by our local amateur chefs. After sampling the fine cuisine, guests will be asked to vote for their favorite dishes in each of four categories: appetizers; side dishes; entrées; and desserts. 

Returning Chef Bob Fox of Omega Plumbing is fine-tuning his recipe for this year’s contest in the hopes of winning his category. Last year, Fox served guests Cuban Arroz Con Pollo, or Cuban Chicken and Rice. This year, he said he’s upping his game by preparing Beef Medallions in a Beer Reduction Demi-Glace.

“It’s a phenomenal experience,” Fox said. “Obviously it’s for a very good cause, but it’s also a great time. It’s fast-paced on both the cooking and serving sides. And it’s a lot of fun to see so many happy faces.”

Frankfort Police Chief John Burica and his “Men Who Cook” team of Frankfort detectives and officers welcome all challenges. They are bringing back to the table their award-winning Smoked Beef Brisket, which has taken first place in the entrée category twice in past years. 

“It’s the detectives’ recipe, and they do a great job with it,” Chief Burica said. “Cooking starts the day before the event. It takes eight to 10 hours of smoking the beef overnight. They put a lot of work into getting ready.”

While the chief and his team enjoy the competition, they know the money raised helps the Children’s Advocacy Center protect and heal sexually abused children and hold their abusers accountable. Frankfort police have worked with the Children’s Advocacy Center on more than 30 investigations of child sexual abuse since 2009.

Last year’s “Men Who Cook” drew 750 attendees and raised more than $76,000 for the Children’s Advocacy Center.

The cost for “Men Who Cook” is $40 per person; $75 per couple. The price is $10 for children between 6 and 12; kids 5 and under can attend for free. And of course, there’s no need to dress up for this casual, fun and affordable event.

“Our talented chefs are raising the stakes in what’s going to be the toughest competition in ‘Men Who Cook’ history,” State’s Attorney Glasgow said. “We can never guess who will go home with the winning ribbons. But we know for certain our guests won’t leave hungry after sampling the many fine dishes that will be offered that evening.”

Choosing your favorite chefs and bidding on silent auction items this year will be faster and easier than ever before as all votes will be submitted and tabulated on mobile phones or other electronic devices. 

WJOL’s Lynne, Mary and Natalie will return to the “Men Who Cook” Red Carpet to welcome guests. Therapy dogs Jackson and Kiwi, both of whom comfort the victims of abuse at the Children’s Advocacy Center’s through the Paws 4 Kids program, will have their own table. And as always, there will be fun for youngsters at the “Men Who Cook” Kids Corner.

State’s Attorney Glasgow established the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center in 1995 to improve the investigation 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 thousands of predators.

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

Tickets for “Men Who Cook” are available online at menwhocook.info or they can be purchased at the door. For additional information, call the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center at (815) 774-4565. Or visit on the Web at menwhocook.info or on Facebook at facebook.com/willcountycac.

Major sponsors for this year’s “Men Who Cook” are: D Construction, Harrah’s Joliet, Waste Management and CITGO Lemont Refinery. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. The Will County Children’s Advocacy Center is a United Way partner agency.

February 16

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announces that seven defendants who have committed non-violent crimes over the years will be the first graduates from Will County Adult Redeploy Illinois, an innovative court diversion program that seeks to keep non-violent offenders out of state prisons by providing community-based services.

The graduation is scheduled for 1 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 22 in the Will County Board Room, 302 N. Chicago Street in Joliet. The event is open to the public.

Defendants from Joliet, Romeoville and Wilmington will graduate from the program. They pleaded guilty upfront to charges that include theft, narcotics possession or burglary in order to participate in the intensive 18-month program that helps them avoid a prison sentence.

Adult Redeploy Illinois strives to change offenders’ criminal behavior through counseling, substance abuse treatment, mental health therapy and job location services. The ultimate goal is to rehabilitate defendants rather than allow them to cycle in and out of the criminal justice system and state prisons at the expense of taxpayers.

Adult Redeploy Illinois (ARI), established by the Crime Reduction Act (Public Act 96-0761), is based on the premise that crime can be reduced and costs of the criminal justice system can be controlled by understanding and addressing the reasons people commit crimes. Another key premise is that local jurisdictions know best what resources are necessary to reduce crime. Currently 39 Illinois counties have functioning ARI programs.

“We are always looking for ways to avoid cycling non-violent defendants through the prison system and billing taxpayers $25,000 annually per inmate,” said State’s Attorney Glasgow. “It is far more cost-effective to invest a few thousand dollars in services for these defendants upfront to put them on a straight-and-narrow path that returns them to their communities as productive, law-abiding citizens. We don’t just save money with this program; we help people reclaim their lives. That’s why ARI is a no-brainer, regardless of what side of the political aisle you’re standing.”

Will County Adult Redeploy Illinois was established in early 2015. There are currently 36 participants in the program. Circuit Judge Carla Policandriotes presides over the court.

ARI is one of several Specialty Courts supervised by Will County State’s Attorney Glasgow’s office, including Drug Court, Veterans Court and Mental Health Court.