New investigator shined in Lake County classroom

The newest investigator in the Lake County state's attorney's office comes with an impressive set of credentials.

James Magna recently graduated from the Police Training Institute at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Assistant State's Attorney Christen Bishop said.

And Magna did much more than simply pass the 13-week course required for all police officers in the state, Bishop said.

Magna was named the top student in academic achievement of his class and was also given the award for overall excellence in his class.

Bishop said the Western Illinois University graduate has been on the staff of the office since 2008, but now takes on his duties with full police powers.

Perillo endorsed:

The Chapala Group of Waukegan has endorsed Democrat Michael Perillo for election to circuit judge in the 6th Judicial Circuit.

Perillo, of Grayslake, is looking to unseat Circuit Judge Jorge Ortiz for the position.

The Chapala Group is a multicultural bipartisan organization dedicated to enriching the Lake County community through political and civil engagement.

The group cited Perillo's service as a Navy lawyer, an assistant state's attorney, assistant public defender and attorney in private practice in making the endorsement.

It also singled out his refusal to accept campaign contributions from lawyers who may appear before him on the bench in making the endorsement.

Ortiz at conference:

Circuit Judge George Oritz was a featured speaker at the National Child Support Enforcement Association conference in Chicago earlier this month.

Ortiz, the presiding judge of the family law division in Lake County, spoke on problem-solving courts and their ability to build family relationships that encourage parents to accept responsibility in the care of their children.

Ortiz serves on the National Judicial Child Support Enforcement Task Force and the state Child Support Advisory Committee.

Heard in the hallway:

Hail and farewell to Assistant State's Attorney Bolling Haxall, who will be leaving the office soon to join the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago as a prosecutor.