Two Lake County adult probation officers honored

Two Lake County adult probation officers were honored recently at this year's annual fall conference of the Illinois Probation and Court Services Association, 19th Judicial Circuit Chief Judge John Phillips announced.

Principal probation officers Robert Zastany Jr. and Lori Carrier were honored at the annual meeting of the Illinois Probation and Court Services Association, Oct. 29-31 in Champaign.

"These two officers have worked in both our juvenile and our adult probation divisions, and they have continued to demonstrate their total commitment and substantial contributions to the criminal justice system and the people they serve," Phillips said in a news release.

Zastany received the Robert E. Burdine Officer of the Year Award. It is presented to the line officer who, in the opinion of the awards committee, has exemplified the highest standards of the profession by the specific accomplishments and or contributions to his/her department.

Zastany was specifically recognized for his contributions as a Cognitive Restructuring Group (COG) facilitator and certified trainer for adult probation. He has facilitated 27 COG groups during his career and was recognized as COG Officer of the Year for 2013.

Carrier received the Distinguished Service Award. It is presented to an officer for dedication and commitment to his/her clients, peers, and the community. Carrier is a principal probation officer assigned to the Presentence Investigation Unit. She has worked in juvenile and adult probation and has been actively involved in specialized programming, such as facilitating Cognitive Restructuring Groups, providing gender specific programming and developing a peer mentoring program for the Drug Court and Veteran's Treatment and Assistance Court.

She is also active with the Police Relations Committee and case planning training. Phillips said that "over 24 staff members of the 19th Judicial Circuit Adult and Juvenile Divisions have been recognized by IPCSA over the history of the organization for their significant achievements."

"We are grateful to have such a driven and dedicated staff representing the 19th Judicial Circuit and we congratulate all of them for their outstanding performance," he added.