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OFFICE OF THE STATE'S ATTORNEY
LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
MICHAEL G. NERHEIM
STATE'S ATTORNEY
June 29, 2015
For Immediate Release
Contact: Cynthia Vargas
(847) 377-3188
cvargas@lakecountyil.gov
(Lake County, IL June 29, 2015) Lake County State's Attorney, Michael G. Nerheim announced that the Lake County
State's Attorney's Office's has adopted a facility dog (Mitchell).
Mitchell is a yellow Labrador
Retriever born July 19, 2013. Shortly after his birth, Mitchell was selected
for training as a service dog based upon his temperament, attitude, and
interaction with people. Mitchell was donated to the State’s Attorney’s
Office by Support Dogs, Inc, a national not-for-profit organization accredited
by Assistance Dogs International. Mitchell went through an extensive
series of trainings, including a formal program at the Southwestern Illinois
Correctional Center (SWICC). While at
the SWICC program, inmates of the facility actually aid in the early training
stages of these facility dogs. After the trainings concluded, Mitchell graduated from Support Dogs, Inc., and became a
professionally certified and trained assistance dog. In April of 2015,
Assistant States Attorney Jason Grindel and Investigator James Magna became
designated handlers for Mitchell.
Mitchell is assigned to the
Children's Advocacy Center. The Center is a division of the State's
Attorney's Office that assists with the investigation and prosecution of crimes
involving the sexual and physical abuse of children. Mitchell provides comfort, compassion, and
companionship to these children. When
needed, Mitchell will accompany children as they talk with officials about
their abuse. Mitchell will also be called upon to assist in the Therapeutic
Intensive Monitoring Courts program which includes Drug Court, Mental Health
Court, and Veteran’s Court.
“ I was recently in Springfield
testifying in support of legislation that would allow facility dogs to
accompany child-victims to court while testifying,” said Nerheim. “ I am
grateful to Support Dogs, Inc. for making the use of a facility dog a reality
in Lake County. Mitchell will clearly help us become more effective in
seeking justice on behalf of children and aiding their journey through the
criminal justice process."
There is current legislation (SB
1389) pending in Springfield that would, under certain circumstances, allow assistance dogs to accompany child
victims to court when they testify in sexual abuse cases. “Going to court can be difficult for anybody, let alone a
child. We want children to be as comfortable as possible when they enter
the criminal justice system," Nerheim said. "Not only will an assistance dog aid in the
truth-seeking process, but it will also help to reduce any further trauma that
a child may have to endure. I applaud our Legislature for recognizing
this and for taking action,” he added. SB 1839 was introduced by Illinois State
Senator Scott Bennett and was co-sponsored by Lake County Senator Julie
Morrison and Lake County State Representatives Barbara Wheeler and Sheri
Jesiel. The legislation is currently awaiting a signature from Governor
Bruce Rauner.
All veterinary maintenance,
grooming and nutrition services for Mitchell are being donated by the Grayslake
Animal Hospital, Tops Grooming, and Purina Dog food.
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Lake County State's Attorney's Office 18 N. County Street Waukegan, IL 60085 Phone: (847) 377-3000
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