Lake Co. court administrator helps out overseas again

Robert Zastany, executive director for the 19th Judicial Circuit, returned this week from his second trip with the Kosovo Justice Support System.

The project, administered by the United States Agency for International Development and the National Center for State Courts, allows court system experts from throughout the country to advise the struggling judicial system in Kosovo.

Zastany, who made his first trip for the project in 2008, said he spent two weeks advising court officials in Prizren and Gjakova.

Court functions such as caseflow management, backlog reduction, organizational structure and records management were among topics covered in meetings with Kosovo officials.

Zastany said he also presented his hosts with a concept paper that outlined ways judges could implement a community service program under the criminal code.

As a parting gift, Zastany said he presented the chief judges in both cities with new flags for their courthouse on behalf of the 19th Judicial Circuit.

Tobacco enforcement

The state Liquor Control Commission is again funding tobacco enforcement programs through the Lake County sheriff's office.

The commission has awarded the sheriff's office $9,120 to run compliance checks on tobacco retailers to ensure the ban on sales to minors is being enforced.

The sheriff's office typically will work with underage volunteers who enter establishments and attempt to purchase tobacco products.

Deputies are close by the volunteers and issue citations to retailers who sell to the minors and certificates of compliance to those who refuse.

The grant money is to cover the cost of the tobacco products and deputy overtime associated with the checks between Aug. 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010.

Director named

Adam Robinson has been named director of client services at the Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center in Gurnee.

Robinson, who has a master's degree in counseling psychology, has been a clinical therapist at the center since 2007.

The center provides survivors of sexual assault or abuse with comprehensive services at no charge, including medical and legal advocacy and counseling for both individuals and groups.