Committee will 'bring more people to the table' in sex assault cases

A major step toward a comprehensive approach to handling sex assault cases was taken Tuesday when Lake County State's Attorney Michael Waller announced formation of a new study group.

Waller told the county board's law and judicial committee the Lake County Sexual Assault Coordinating Council will be charged with developing new approaches to one of the most serious crimes.

"When you are dealing with these complicated crimes, it is important to bring more people to the table," Waller said. "We want to promote innovation and cooperation between all the people who have expertise in this area."

Waller said he wants to build on the success of the county's Domestic Violence Council, formed in 1994, the Juvenile Justice Council started in 1999, and the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, which has operated since 2003.

He said the new council's core will be made up of himself, Circuit Judge Victoria Rossetti, Gurnee Police Chief Robert Jones, Superintendent of Regional Education Roycealee Wood, and Torrie Flink, executive director of the Zacharias Center.

The group will study ways to improve the investigation, prosecution and management of sex assault cases to benefit the entire county, Waller said.

The concept of the council was born in discussions in 2006 between the Lake County Chiefs of Police Association and representatives of social service agencies, who approached Waller to assist in its organization.

Rossetti told the committee one project she wants to begin work on is ensuring all aspects of a sexual assault case are collected under the same umbrella.

She said while defendants are being prosecuted in felony courtrooms, people involved in the situation could also have matters pending in other branches of the system.

"There could be components of the case in domestic violence court, juvenile court or family court," Rossetti said. "In some cases, the felony judge hearing the case could be completely unaware of those other components."

While saying they already respected the way Waller and his prosecutors handle sexual assault cases, county board committee members welcomed the new initiative.

Lake County Board member Carol Calabresa of Libertyville, who has served on the Domestic Violence Council since its inception, said she has seen the positive results of Waller's approach.

"Mike brings everyone in and listens as they develop ideas," Calabresa said. "What you wind up with is a view of the situation that one perspective alone would not give you."