Forfeiture Money Being Used to Help Our Communities

JOLIET – A new member of the Monee Police Department was sworn in at the July 28 Monee Village Board Meeting – K-9 “Cap,” a 19-month-old German Shepherd purchased by Will County State’s Attorney James W. Glasgow for the Monee Police Department using money forfeited from drug dealers and money launderers. Glasgow, Monee Police Chief Scott Koerner, and handler Officer Steve Crescenti joined Cap as he was sworn in by Village Clerk Doneshia Codjoe before Mayor Dr. Therese Bogs and the members of the Village Board. 

Glasgow paid for the purchase of Cap, his training, and the canine transport equipment installed in the police vehicle, with drug asset money seized from dealers and traffickers selling illegal narcotics in Will County. No taxpayer dollars were used. Cap joins eight other canines Glasgow has provided to law enforcement agencies throughout Will County.

“We must continue to do everything we can to confront the deadly opioid epidemic that has gripped our communities even more significantly during the Covid pandemic. These special K-9s do a remarkable job assisting local law enforcement efforts in taking dealers off our streets and removing dangerous drugs from our communities,” Glasgow said. “The K-9s also play a vital role in preventing the scourge of drug use by helping our officers and schools teach children about the dangers of drugs, as well as helping schools monitor for the presence of drugs and providing an opportunity for student intervention and counseling.

“Cap is the latest K-9 I have donated, but he won’t be the last in this important program! These Police K-9s play an essential role as Ambassadors of Goodwill between the police department and the community they serve.” 

In addition to Cap, State’s Attorney Glasgow has provided “Rookie” in Shorewood, “Hutch” in Channahon, “Roxie” in Rockdale, and “Mao” in Wilmington; “Simo” in Crest Hill, “Tib” (short for Tiburian) in Elwood; and “Tucker” in Park Forest. Glasgow provided the training and K-9 transport equipment for each of these K-9s as well. Glasgow also partnered with the Will County Sheriff by contributing half the cost for “Loki,” a German Shepherd trained in detecting explosives who joined the Will County Sheriff’s Department last year to provide critically important technical security at the new Will County courthouse.

“Our Police Department and the Village of Monee are excited to have Cap as a member of our law enforcement team,” said Chief Koerner. “Cap and Officer Crescenti completed a rigorous five-week training course at Landheim Training Center in Indiana before Cap could begin his duties. We’ve already seen that Cap has quickly become a popular member of the Monee Police Department!”

Cap is a member of Glasgow’s “K-9s for Cops” program, a part of the League of Extraordinary Canines & Friends initiative Glasgow established to bring together the law enforcement community, animal control agencies, veterinarians, humane societies, rescue groups, and all who care about the humane treatment of animals to work together in addressing animal cruelty and neglect. Glasgow also works closely with the nonprofit organization K9s for Vets that provides service dogs to veterans with PTSD and helps veterans with PTSD transition to civilian life.

“These wonderful police K-9s serve a dual purpose; along with helping address the scourge of drugs, these canines teach our children the importance of empathy, compassion, and good old-fashioned kindness to animals,” Glasgow said. “Many serial killers have a history of abusing animals. In 1999, I wrote legislation making the torture of animals a felony in Illinois with a mandatory psychiatric evaluation to derail a potential mass murderer. Children who see someone hurting a trusting, defenseless animal at home, or who hurt animals themselves, may eventually do the same to human beings. Helping raise awareness about animal abuse and neglect also guards against violence against other humans.”

In addition to crusading to protect animals, Glasgow has an extensive history of addressing the opioid epidemic. He has pursued an aggressive agenda that includes targeting heroin dealers and prosecuting drug-induced homicides against heroin/fentanyl dealers who have sold this deadly poison to hold them accountable for these tragic homicides. Additionally, in 1998, Glasgow obtained the federal grants to establish Will County’s drug court program that helps offenders re-enter the community following an intensive and structured program. Glasgow also works with HERO (Heroin Epidemic Relief Organization) and HELPS (Heroin Education Leads to Preventative Solutions) to educate our communities about the dangers of opioids.

June 24, 2021

JOLIET, IL –  Will County State’s Attorney James W. Glasgow has announced that the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) has been awarded reaccreditation by the National Children’s Alliance (NCA), following an extensive application and site review process. The NCA is the accrediting agency for CACs throughout the country. Accreditation is the highest level that can be awarded, and is based on a CAC’s compliance with 10 national standards of accreditation to ensure effective, efficient, and consistent delivery of services to child abuse victims.

“I established the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center over 25 years ago to enable police and prosecutors to put dangerous predators behind bars while providing young victims of child abuse and their families with hope, healing, and justice,” Glasgow said. “The Will County CAC has become a model for others because, as this award of reaccreditation reaffirms, we set a standard of excellence from day one. Children are our most precious resource, and the abused children we see every day deserve every opportunity to be heard, protected, and helped.”

Since Glasgow established the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center in 1995, thousands of children who have endured severe physical abuse, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, neglect, and exposure to violence have been served by the CAC’s child-sensitive forensic interview, advocacy, and trauma therapy programs.

“This reaccreditation validates our demonstrated commitment to providing comprehensive, coordinated, and compassionate services to victims of child abuse,” said Will County CAC Executive Director Lisa Morel Las. “It is particularly gratifying that the National Children’s Alliance recognized our committed team and the leadership provided by State’s Attorney Glasgow. Our team truly cares about every child who walks through our doors.”

As the accrediting agency for Children’s Advocacy Centers throughout the country, the National Children’s Alliance awards various levels of accreditation and membership. Once accredited, a CAC must undergo a reaccreditation process every five years to ensure that evidence-based practices are being implemented and the highest quality of service is being provided.

“Our goal is to ensure that every victim of child abuse has access to high quality services that result from professional collaboration,” said NCA Executive Director Teresa Huizar.  “The Will County CAC is to be commended for its continued commitment to effectively serve victims of child abuse.”

More information about the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center is available at www.willcountycac.org.

###

June 16, 2021

JOLIET, IL – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow today was presented with the Outstanding State’s Attorney Award by the nonprofit organization Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists (AAIM). AAIM Executive Director Rita Kreslin presented the Award to Glasgow for his “outstanding dedication to championing the cause of justice for impaired driving crash victims and their families.”

“Crime victims need support and advocacy throughout the criminal justice process, and this is no different for victims harmed by impaired drivers—who often suffer both emotional and physical injury. Together with AAIM, our Victim Witness Services Unit team members counsel victims and their families throughout the court process and stand with these victims as they work to regain their lives and recover from the losses they have suffered,” Glasgow said. “Impaired driving remains a serious and easily preventable problem that can wreak devastation on its victims, and my Office prosecutes these cases to the fullest extent of the law.”

AAIM is Illinois’ only not-for-profit victim advocacy organization that works closely with victims of impaired and reckless driving. Its Advocates regu­larly accompany victims to court and track case dispositions, and Court Monitors are physically present in the courtroom on a regular basis to observe and document court proceedings, track results, and identify inconsistencies from courthouse to courthouse.

“Under State’s Attorney Glasgow’s leadership, not only are impaired driving cases prosecuted but victims are given much needed support throughout the process,” Kreslin said. “Our Advocates and Court Monitors help victims of impaired and reckless driving throughout the State. The attention to this critical issue in Will County is a testament to State’s Attorney Glasgow’s dedication and commitment to serving criminal justice and crime victims.”

Victim Advocates in the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office are available to assess needs, provide resources and referrals, inform crime victims of their rights, provide notice of case status, explain court process and proceedings, provide counseling, and coordinate support services throughout the criminal justice process. Advocates also accompany victims to court to explain proceedings, offer support, act as a liaison to the prosecutor, and ensure safety precautions are considered and implemented when needed. To speak with a Victim Advocate, please call the Will County State’s Attorney’s Victim Services Unit, at 815-740-8079.

# # #

May 27, 2021

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow has announced that 19 individuals from Will County’s Problem Solving Courts graduated in three separate ceremonies this week at the new Will County Courthouse. These were the first ceremonies to allow both participants and their family members to attend in person since the pandemic had required the closure of such in-person events. 

“It is especially meaningful for our graduates that their families are once again able to personally attend the ceremonies and support our graduates as they begin this new chapter in their lives,” Glasgow said. “The pandemic demonstrated the resilience and endurance not only of our graduates, but of our Problem Solving Courts Program which continued to support our participants throughout this challenging period in creative ways ranging from the establishment of a community garden, to the personal delivery of craft projects and activities for participants to engage in with their children.”

The Mental Health Court graduation was held May 25, with seven individuals from Joliet, Lockport, Crest Hill, Plainfield, and Homer Glen participating. A May 26 ceremony was held for ARI graduates, from Joliet and Ellwood. Finally, ten Drug Court participants hailing from Joliet, Plainfield, Mokena, New Lenox, and Lockport graduated in a ceremony on May 27. Associate Circuit Judge Fred Harvey presided over the three ceremonies. Problem Solving Courts Coordinator Julie McCabe-Sterr also participated in each ceremony.

Glasgow played an integral role in creating each of Will County’s four Problem Solving courts. He spearheaded the creation of the Drug Court in 2000 – Will County’s first Problem Solving Court – when he wrote and administered the grant that funded its formation. Along with Will County Chief Judge Gerald Kinney, Glasgow established the Mental Health Court in 2010. He also petitioned for the formation of the Will County Veterans Court in 2012, and wrote and obtained the grant for the Redeploy Illinois Court to steer qualifying repeat offenders away from prison and into gainful employment in 2015.

In addition, Glasgow established three residential facilities to further help Problem Solving Court participants on the path to reentry. The Miller Taylor House and Julie Ann House provide temporary housing, and the Connor Kelly Residence which opened in 2019 provides longer-term transitional housing.

# # #