Domestic, Sexual Violence Councils Expand Meetings

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Lake County State's Attorneys Office


OFFICE OF THE STATE'S ATTORNEY
LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
ERIC F. RINEHART
STATE'S ATTORNEY

February 25, 2021

For Immediate Release
Contact: Jim Newton
(224) 374-2376
jnewton@lakecountyil.gov

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Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart and Sexual Assault Coordinator Sandra Bankston prepare for the Lake County Domestic Violence Council's first meeting of the year Thursday. 

 


State's Attorney Increases Meetings, Expands Focus of Domestic/Sexual Violence Councils 

 

(Lake County, IL)  State's Attorney Eric Rinehart said Thursday his office is elevating time and resources devoted to the Lake County Domestic Violence Council and Sexual Assault Coordinating Council as officials work to improve services for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. 

The State's Attorney said he has doubled the number of annual meetings of the councils, which will now meet quarterly, and assigned some of the office's most talented and experienced personnel to work with the council. 

"Even though this is my first meeting, I understand the importance of this group, the work of each of you as individuals and the sacred nature of our mission," State's Attorney Rinehart told council members at the beginning of Thursday's meeting. "This panel helps protect the most vulnerable in our community from those who would control and abuse. The service that each of you provides as individuals is central to the safety and health of our county." 

State's Attorney Rinehart told council members he is looking to them to help develop new strategies to fight some of the most persistent and damaging crimes in society. 

"For all survivors of crime, we will prioritize your case above others. We will focus on the safety of the community above all else," Rinehart said. "As we have already done, we will move more resources into the Domestic Violence and Sex Crimes Division while also expanding our outreach into all parts of the county." 

During the virtual meeting, members and participants briefly broke into small groups to discuss what they felt were the most necessary actions needed to tackle domestic violence and sex crimes. 

Council members and State’s Attorney Rinehart identified speed in communication and providing educational services to victims and Rinehart as crucial to addressing domestic violence and sex crimes.  

Rinehart introduced his new, but experienced, group of leaders in his office to briefly address the council and discuss their ideas and areas of strength. 

They included Domestic Violence Division Chief Lauren Callinan, whom Rinehart said recently provided police chiefs across Lake County with new protocols that Rinehart said will help officials reach victims more quickly.  

Veteran prosecutor Donna Jo Maki, new chief of the office's Sex Crimes Unit, brings a wealth of experience from similar work in other counties and with the Illinois Attorney General's Office and Joe Fusz who has previously worked in the State’s Attorney’s office and returns as Chief of the Cyber Crimes and Special Prosecutions Division. 

Chief of the office's Criminal Division and Rinehart's First Assistant Sharmila Manak, who Rinehart called "my partner in this transition," brings her 17 years of experience as a local trial attorney to the office. 

State's Attorney Rinehart also said that Lake County Sexual Assault Coordinator Sandra Bankston will be taking on new duties helping to provide therapy for victims.

"There isn’t another strategic group out there with this level of experience and passion dedicated to reducing sexual and domestic violence," he said.  "We are that group. Let's get to work."   

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Lake County State's Attorney's Office
18 N. County Street
Waukegan, IL 60085  
Phone: (847) 377-3000