Title
Joint resolution authorizing and supporting the establishment of a Lake County Sexual Assault Coordinating Council.
Staff Summary
• A county-wide council coordinating the investigation, prosecution and management of sexual assault cases that will benefit the entire County.
• The proposed Council will be established by State’s Attorney Michael Waller, Circuit Judge Victoria Rosetti, Gurnee Police Chief Robert Jones, Superintendent of Regional Office of Education Roycealee Wood, and Zacharias Center Executive Director Torrie Flink.
• The proposed Council’s bylaws, which establish the Council’s membership and operating guidelines, are attached for review and approval.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Lake County has long been a leader in the area of Criminal Justice in establishing cooperative and innovative programs in law enforcement, education, prevention, intervention and treatment; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Board has previously established three county-wide coalitions: Lake County Domestic Violence Council (1994), Lake County Juvenile Justice Council (1999), and Lake County Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee (2003); and
WHEREAS, those coalitions have successfully sponsored and developed programs that have improved Lake County’s handling of domestic violence cases, the Lake County Juvenile Justice System, the Lake County Criminal Justice System, and have enhanced public safety in Lake County; and
WHEREAS, Lake County has long been a leader in handling sexual abuse and sexual assault cases; and
WHEREAS, the Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center (formerly LACASA) was established in 1983 and the Lake County Children=s Advocacy Center was established in 1987: both programs were pioneers in sensitively and effectively dealing with sexual assault and sexual abuse cases; and
WHEREAS, a consensus has developed among law enforcement, the judiciary, victim advocates and other professionals that believe the Lake County Criminal Justice System would benefit from the establishment of a county-wide council to deal with sexual assault/abuse cases; and
WHEREAS, a team consisting of State’s Attorney Michael Waller, Zacharias Center Executive Director Torrie Flink, Circuit Judge Victoria Rossetti, Gurnee Police Chief Robert Jones, and Regional Superintendent of Schools Roycealee Wood have proposed the establishment of the Lake County Sexual Assault Coordinating Council; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Sexual Assault Coordinating Council will promote cooperation, coordination and communication between the agencies and individuals investigating and handling sexual assault and sexual abuse cases; and
WHEREAS, by-laws establishing the Lake County Sexual Assault Coordinating Council and its membership, and detailing rules under which the Sexual Assault Coordinating Council shall operate, have been drafted for consideration by the Lake County Board; and
WHEREAS, the month of April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Awareness Month.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of Lake County, Illinois, that the Lake County Sexual Assault Coordinating Council is hereby established; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the by-laws governing the Sexual Assault Coordinating Council attached herein are hereby ratified.
Dated, at Waukegan, Lake County, Illinois on this 14th day of April, A.D., 2009.