Title
Joint resolution authorizing an emergency appropriation in the amount of $25,926 to fund the creation of a part-time Principal Investigator in the State's Attorney's Office, with offsetting revenue to be provided in full by a transfer in funds from the State's Attorney's Money Laundering Fund.
Staff Summary
· The advancements in criminal forensic sciences in the last 15 years has led to dramatic changes in law enforcement and subsequently in the prosecution of defendants charged with crimes.
· These advancements have led to "innocence projects" seeking review of old evidence that at the time of adjudication was not subjected to the new and improved forensic laboratory testing.
· The State's Attorney has created a Case Review Panel composed of numerous legal professionals and lay people to assist in the review of criminal cases where there is a question about a conviction.
· This case review initiative is at the heart of the mission of the State's Attorney's Office - to seek justice, uphold the integrity of the criminal justice system and promote trustworthy government in Lake County.
· The State's Attorney has identified a need for a part-time principal investigator to assist the State's Attorney's Case Review Panel.
· The principal investigator will assist the Case Review Panel with reviewing old cases and resubmitting old evidence for new analysis, ascertaining causes of wrongful convictions and establishing protocols for investigating and prosecuting criminal cases.
· This review procedure requires that the complete case file be examined and reviewed by a qualified investigator with experience in criminal investigations and prosecutions.
· The principal investigator has extensive law enforcement background with many years in the criminal justice field and has been working as a volunteer in this position for the past two years.
· Offsetting revenue is available from the State's Attorney's Money Laundering Fund to support the emergency appropriation of $25,926 provide funding for this position for FY15.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the State's Attorney's Office has identified a need for a part-time principal investigator to assist the State's Attorney's Office Case Review Panel with reviewing old cases and resubmitting old evidence for new analysis, ascertaining causes of wrongful convictions and establishing protocols for investigating and prosecuting criminal cases; and
WHEREAS, this case review initiative is at the heart of the mission of the State's Attorney's Office to seek justice, uphold the integrity of the criminal justice system and promote trustworthy government in Lake County,
WHEREAS, offsetting revenue is available from the State's Attorney's Money Laundering Fund; and
WHEREAS, the creation of this position necessitates an emergency appropriation of $25,926 to provide for the costs of said position for FY15; and
101-3300060-51120 - Part-time salaries $23,400
101-3300060-72170 - Liability/Workers Comp $ 634
101-3300060-72140 - Unemployment $ 102
101-3300060-74100 - FICA $ 1,790
WHEREAS, offsetting revenue in the amount of $25,926 shall be deposited in account 101-3300010-45400 from the State's Attorney's Money Laundering Fund; 765-3350010-79920
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that the part-time Principal Investigator position be added to the Lake County State's Attorney's Office; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an emergency appropriation for $25,926 is hereby authorized; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if funding for the position from the Money Laundering Fund becomes unavailable the position shall be removed from the State's Attorney's Office.
DATED, at Waukegan, Lake County, Illinois on this 10th day of February, A.D., 2015