Briefs: More costly to commit crime in Kane County
The Kane County Board approved a $30 fee increase to the court costs charged to anyone convicted of a criminal case in Kane County. For example, total fines and courts for someone convicted of a first time DUI offense are currently about $1,000. The total will now be about $1,030 with the approved increase. The additional fee is meant to help fund the Kane County Child Advocacy Center, which helps children who are victims of sexual or physical abuse. The circuit court clerk collects both fines assessed in guilty verdicts and any associated court costs. Fine revenue goes to the county. Court costs are distributed to a variety of different areas.
Kane forms emergency communications board
A new entity named the KaneComm Board will now oversee 911 communications in Kane County. The Kane County Board created the new emergency communications board Tuesday. KaneComm will report directly to the judicial and public safety committee of the county board. It will make decisions about budgeting and administration of the county's emergency dispatch center, which serves the Kane County Sheriff's office and several towns that contract with the county for dispatch services. The move follows the recommendation by an outside consultant as an efficient change to coincide with the relocation of the sheriff's offices to the new county complex near Route 38 and Randall Road.
Prosecutor going to DeKalb
A prosecutor is leaving his position in Kane County after seven years to become first assistant state's attorney in DeKalb County, officials announced this week. Bill Engerman, 45, joined the Kane County state's attorney's office in 2001 and was lead prosecutor in the recent convictions of two Aurora gang leaders charged a 1989 murder. In a statement, Kane County State's Attorney John Barsanti said his office is "sad to lose a lawyer of such skill, determination and professionalism."
Kane County forms emergency communications board
A new entity named the KaneComm Board will now oversee 911 communications in Kane County. The Kane County Board created the new emergency communications board Tuesday. KaneComm will report directly to the judicial and public safety committee of the county board. It will make decisions about budgeting and administration of the county's emergency dispatch center, which serves the Kane County Sheriff's office and several towns that contract with the county for dispatch services. The move follows the recommendation by an outside consultant as an efficient change to coincide with the relocation of the sheriff's offices to the new county complex near Route 38 and Randall Road.