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February 29, 2024
Justice for All
Dear residents and community leaders,
During February of 2024, the office was excited to participate in Black History Month and to see some of our newest and most experienced leaders receive recognition for their critical work in serving the public.
For Black History Month, we recognized members of the Lake County Community who used their art to change and improve their world. We honored Mona Phiffer, Trey Baker, and Carlos Smith – all of whom serve and uplift the entire Lake County Community through their passion, commitment, and art. Trey, who serves as our Youth Outreach Director for the GVPI, and who was also featured at the Eleventh Annual Lake County Rising Event received an honor from the Illinois Black Caucus Foundation after being nominated by Illinois State Senator Adriane Johnson. Congrats to Mona, Trey, and Carlos for all that you do!
This same month, we were so proud of another one of our newest leaders, GVPI Director Tierra Lemon, who explained our GVPI to national leaders at the annual at the National Association of Counties (NACo) Legislative Conference in Washington D.C. Tierra started with the GVPI in July 2023, and has not only led our policy efforts to expand prevention, but she has also convened numerous townhalls and is coordinating the production of our countywide Violence Prevention Plan – which will be published in March.
February is also the month that Lake County Rising holds its annual event to emphasize the need to reduce violence against women. We are so proud to partner with so many community organizations to lift up the voice of survivors, to recognize local students, and to coordinate prevention efforts. Sandra Bankston has been one of the leaders of Lake County Rising for over ten years and is one of the most important leaders in our office as she fills the newly created position within the GVPI of Director of Victim Services.
Finally, I was so proud to stand next to Children’s Advocacy Center Director Carrie Flanigan who the Lake County Board recognized for thirty years of service. Carrie is a compassionate leader who recognizes the urgency of protecting children throughout Lake County and beyond!
It is fitting that Tierra, Sandra, and Carrie be recognized at the end of February as we head into Women’s History Month in March – each of them is making history every day and making our community better. Aside from highlighting important women leaders in our community, in March we will also have more announcements about the results of our GVPI work and our future plans.
Highlighting Black Leaders/Artist in our Community
Mona J. Phiffer
Every year, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office is proud to celebrate Black History Month. This year’s theme was the “art of resistance” and our office highlighted local Lake County artist who use their crafts to uplift and influence our communities.
 Mona calls herself a “Universe” conscience artist and uses art to express sadness, happiness, peace, and her healing journey. She also uses art as form to show history as some of her paintings show scenes of Missouri, California, Illinois, and Africa. Mona’s work is displayed at the Dandelion Gallery & Studio.
Trey Baker
Trey Baker is a spoken word artist who works as the GVPI Youth Coordinator with the Lake County Regional Office of Education and My Brother’s Keeper Alliance to inspire and teach young people about reaching their goals.
This month, Trey was recognized at the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation Black History Month Soirée and Awards Ceremony, where he was nominated by Senator Adriane Johnson and honored with the Generation Next Leadership Award. Our office is honored to work with a great leader like Trey.
Carlos Smith
Carlos Smith is community journalist and seasoned crowd control. With his years of expertise in managing audiences, videography, and photography, Carlos founded and owns the Crazy Riot Show, a podcast with over 22,000 subscribers. The Crazy Riot Show focuses on Lake County, sharing community members’ stories, and keeping residents informed.
Carlos said bringing light to his diverse community in his own creative crazy way was always a goal of his and now he feels blessed to be able to live that dream through his show.
Lake County Rising
On February 6, Lake County Rising hosted their 11th annual event with the theme being “We All Have the Power to End Violence Against Women.” Sandra Bankston, Chief of Gun Violence Victim Services, has been part of the Lake County Rising Committee since it started and was recognized for years of dedication to the movement of ending violence against women.
Trey Baker was the featured speaker who have an impactful message about putting an end to violence and supporting the youth through mentorship. The poetry and essay contestant winners were both from Zion-Benton Township High School. We had the honor of hearing one of the winners read her powerful essay out loud.
Our office will continue to support and be part of Lake County Rising to make Lake County a safer community.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Grand Opening
On February 15, Big Brothers Big Sisters had their grand opening in their new North Chicago location. We were honored to be part of the ribbon cutting along with Mayor Leon Rockingham Jr., Erick Ferrer from the office of Senator Javier Cervantes, Senator Adriane Johnson, Dylan Olthoff and State Rep. Rita Mayfield, Ivan Gomez from the office of Congressman Brad Schneider, City of Waukegan Mayor Anne B. Taylor and many other local leaders.
Tierra Lemon, Director of the Gun Violence Prevention Initiative, gave a few remarks about the importance of having community-based organizations such as BBBS that mentor and empower our youth. We look forward to partnering with BBBS and making our community a safer place.
Employee Spotlight – Grip
Late January, our office, Defenders for Children, and Gripple Inc. hosted a press conference for Grip, our Cyber Lab’s new electronics detection K9. Grip is a one-and-a-half-year-old yellow lab that was trained as an electronics detection unit and can find cellphones, laptop computers, and any other digital devices containing a SIM card or chip. She was donated through a grant from Defenders for Children, whose mission is to prevent child abuse, trafficking, and child pornography. The purchase of Grip and gift to Defenders for Children is made possible by the generosity of Gripple, Inc., a private company that increases awareness regarding sexual abuse and human trafficking.
Grip has been with our office for over three months now and is partnered with her handler, Rob Beach, a Lake County State’s Attorney Investigator who specializes in cybercrimes investigations. She assists Mr. Beach in mutual aid requests during investigations of crimes against children.
“Grip is a great addition to the Office and shows our Cybercrimes’ Division strong commitment to using every possible resource to increase child pornography prosecutions. She is already loved by everyone in the office. We will use any tool we can to detect and prosecute those who would engage in heinous crimes against children,” Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart commented.
We are thrilled to have Grip as part of our office. We know she will help make Lake County a safer a place.
Upcoming Events
School Safety Conference
The Lake County Regional Office of Education is having their annual School Safety Conference on Monday, March 4, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Warren Township High School Almond Campus.
The day will start at with introductions and morning keynote presentation "Connection in Times of Crisis" from Scott Tillema, a national speaker from Negotiations Collective. Following Scott there will be a variety of breakouts from local and national experts. Our office will be having two different presentations. Other speakers include Michael DeLeon from Steered Straight, Inc on his life story "From Prison to Purpose".
College of Lake County Criminal Justice Career Exploration Fair – March 6. 2024
The College of Lake County is having their Criminal Justice Career Exploration Fair on Wednesday, March 6, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Grayslake Campus. This fair provides students with a resource for learning about different criminal justice careers and jobs.
Blue Kids Campaign – April
April 1st begins the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center Blue Kids program. The LCCAC works in collaboration with Lake County Partners to bring education and awareness to our communities about Child Abuse Prevention. Together we create awareness, engage youth, encourage education and participation.
We invite you to get involved and help spread awareness within your community. To learn how you can make a difference please visit us at friendoflccac.org or contact Carrie Wings, Education and Outreach Specialist, at cwings@lakecountyil.gov
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