New building opens for county's adult probation services
The county's adult probation department now has a new home in downtown Waukegan.
The building at 215 Water St., directly east of the Lake County Jail, has been owned by the county for five years and went through a $4 million renovation.
The county saved considerably on the rehabilitation of the building because 75 percent of the floor, roof and exterior walls from the original building were reused.
Further savings will come in the future from the many energy saving components that were built into the building.
Court officials said 94 employees will be housed in the 32,250-square-foot building overseeing the 4,500 people assigned to the department annually by the courts.
Red Mass: The Justinian Society of Italian American Lawyers is holding its fifth annual Lake County Red Mass at noon Sunday in the St. Mary of the Lake Seminary Chapel in Mundelein.
The Red Mass is a custom from Europe dating to 1245 and is celebrated in this country every year to mark the opening of the October session of the U.S. Supreme Court.
A society spokesman said the Mass is a gathering in faith for the legal community, elected and appointed officials and families. A reception will follow the Mass.
The cost is $20 to attend. For more information, call (847) 244-3030.
Kid's police academy: Seventh- and eighth-grade students at Miguel Juarez Middle School in Waukegan recently graduated from the first Junior Police Academy.
The academy, sponsored by the Waukegan Police Department and Nicasa, was a 16-week course made possible through funding from U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk's office.
During the course, students were introduced to police work through instruction in drug enforcement, crime investigation, fingerprinting, gang prevention and evidence processing.
"This was a great opportunity for our department," Waukegan Police Chief William Biang said. "It allowed us to put into action our concern for the community and to take an active role in the lives of youth."
Heard in the hallway: Congratulations to Assistant State's Attorney Bolling Haxall on his upcoming Sept. 29 marriage to Sara Pretz of St. Charles.