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About 30 firefighters and police officers found themselves closer to being arson investigators this spring, following classes that included a presentation on preparing arson cases for court by veteran Assistant State’s Attorney Eric Kalata.
Kalata spoke to the class at Waukegan Fire Station 5.
“Fortunately, in Lake County we don’t have many arson cases, but we have to be prepared,” he said.
The prosecutor took the trainees through the importance of protecting crime scenes, properly preserving the chain of evidence, dress and demeanor in court, and preparation for testimony at trial.
Kalata emphasized investigators’ demeanor, stating that witnesses should act professionally and explain any technical issues so that attorneys and jurors can understand what they are being told or shown.
He also highlighted best practices for interviewing suspects in felony cases, telling the group that investigators should use videotape, audiotape, or both if possible, and suggested using their phones to record interviews as a backup. This not only leads to the most accurate depiction of what people told them, but also fulfills the expectations of jurors and others.
“We don’t want to lose a statement because of a problem with technology,” he said. “In today’s society, everybody wants to see video or bodycam (footage).”
The class was made up primarily of firefighters from around Lake County, but there were also some from areas such as Rockford and Quincy.
Jay Vandeberg, a battalion chief with the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District who helped run the program, said the prosecutor’s presentation was part of a 120-hour basic training class for fire investigation certification.
The program was funded through a grant from the Illinois Fire Service Institute and distributed by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal.
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Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Eric Kalata presented a program last month on arson investigation procedures and preparing to testify in court to a class of about 30 firefighters and police officers. The program was part of a larger program to help the participants become certified arson investigators.
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Lake County Coalition Against Human Trafficking
Youth Logo Contest Open to Middle and High Schoolers
The Lake County Coalition Against Human Trafficking (LCCAHT), of which the State’s Attorney’s Office is a partner, needs a logo for its organization and is encouraging middle school and high school students in Lake County to help create one.
Students in these grade levels are encouraged to use their artistry and imagination to design an image that will be used by the LCCAHT to reflect the mission and goals of the organization.
Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Students are encouraged to do research on the subject with parental supervision.
The Lake County Coalition Against Human Trafficking exists to provide a collaborative, trauma-informed, and victim-centered response to human trafficking in Lake County.
The Coalition is made of community partners who strive to improve the efforts of the community in identifying, supporting, and finding justice and services for victims. The group works to ensure that the victims of human trafficking are met with dignity and compassion, and receive all available resources at its disposal.
All submissions must be original artwork in any medium, including paint, crayons, stickers, charcoal, computer-generated graphics and writings, etc. Preference will be given to entries that reflect the ideals and goals of the coalition.
Images that use stereotypical representations of human trafficking such as handcuffs, bondage, etc. are discouraged.
Only submissions including a completed release/waiver form, signed and dated by 5 p.m., June 30, will be considered. You can find the form at:
https://www.lakecountyil.gov/DocumentCenter/View/39948/logo-contest-entry-form.
Send a digital image of your artwork, with your completed release/waiver form, to lchumantrafficking@gmail.com. You will then receive confirmation that your entry has been received.
For more information, call (847) 377-3184.
Podcast - Sexual Assault Awareness
Lake County State's Attorney's Office Therapist Sandra Bankston, who spent years as a witness coordinator with the office prior to taking on a new role as therapist, was a featured speaker in a podcast put out by Lake County's Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center.
The podcast was developed as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April. Bankston participated in the podcast as one of three experts speaking on the issue. Her segment begins just after the 20-minute mark of the podcast.
Bankston addresses how State's Attorney's Office witness coordinators, now with the additional help of her therapist services, help walk victims through the legal process while also offering advocacy and supportive counseling.
The podcast also includes remarks from Chenel Vanden Berk, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) with Advocate Condell Medical Center, and Damaris Lorta, chief of development for A Safe Place, a Lake County domestic violence shelter that helps victims of domestic abuse and human trafficking.
Listen to Podcast
Mundelein:
Mundelein High School will host The Mundelein 5K Race Against Gun Violence (MRAGV) on Sunday, June 13 from 9 a.m. to noon at the high school. Area residents are encouraged to participate in the race and/or donate to the cause.
"The Mundelein My Brother's Keeper Community & Black Student Union are proud to host the second annual Mundelein Race Against Gun Violence," said Trey Baker, MHS senior and organizer of the event. Baker is also the president of the MHS Black Student Union and Mundelein Scholars United.
"The MRAGV will help raise awareness and funds for more than 50 community organizations working for a more peaceful Chicago where all can thrive, free from the fear of gun violence," Baker said. “With COVID-19 increasing hardships in the very same communities contending with gun violence, MRAGV is an opportunity to choose hope, support the life-changing work of nonprofits and to provide a platform for people who care about ending gun violence and getting involved."
Check-in for the race begins at 8:15 a.m. Facemasks will be required when not running/walking in the race, social distancing will be maintained, and hand sanitizer stations will be provided.
"We all can agree the epidemic of gun violence has taken too many lives and especially the lives of our children who have just begun to explore the world," Baker said. "This touches my heart as well because I’ve experienced personal tragedy with losing loved ones to gun violence. With this event, we have an incredible opportunity to bring our community members back together to further connect, commit, contribute, and change what is possible."
Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfDbxXJjlWkk5mGA0b-nmXxkXeTOofvdQu7EcU-hyyzXWqjiA/viewform?usp=sf_link
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Waukegan:
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