Kane County sheriff's office on the move

The Kane County Sheriff's Department opens for business next week at its new digs in St. Charles.

Over the past several weeks, movers have been hauling furniture, files and equipment to the new office at 37W755 Route 38, St. Charles, on the west end of the Kane County Judicial Center campus.

Lt. Pat Gengler, public information officer, said several administrative offices have already been relocated, and there's a high "level of excitement" about bringing divisions that were previously housed in separate buildings under a single roof.

"That's a great asset, to bring everybody back together again and have all our operations in one place," he said. "It will do wonders for our operations."

The new sheriff's office is one component of a $56 million, taxpayer funded construction project that includes a 640-capacity jail at the same location to resolve crowding at the existing sheriff's office on Fabyan Parkway in Geneva. The jail also is expected to open this summer.

At the sheriff's department, public services available in the warrants, records and civil divisions will be offered at the new site beginning at 8 a.m. Monday. Citizens who want to file a police report are asked to visit the new office. Phone numbers and hours will remain the same.

Among the more complicated aspects of the move, Gengler said, was the relocation of evidence and SWAT equipment, both of which had to be closely guarded.

Another aspect, which is being kept under wraps, is the upcoming relocation of some 600 inmates. Gengler said the process is so detailed and controlled that officers received extensive special training.

"A lot of that is going to shake out in the next couple of weeks," Gengler said.

To reach the Kane County Sheriff's Department, call (630) 232-6840 or log onto www.kanesheriff.com.