Kane state's attorney names new top assistant

A veteran Kane County prosecutor has been named State's Attorney John Barsanti's second-in-command.

Jody Gleason, who has been Barsanti's interim first assistant state's attorney since April, is moving into the position permanently, officials announced this week. She replaces former First Assistant State's Attorney Clint Hull, who left in March to become an associate judge.

"I'm very excited about the position," Gleason said Wednesday. "I think it will be a great opportunity and certainly a good experience."

A native of Macon County, Ill., Gleason joined the state's attorney's office 17 years ago and has worked in all but the civil division. As first assistant, she will supervise the Priority Prosecution Unit, all felony prosecutors and traffic and misdemeanor divisions.

Gleason said she feels ready for the challenge, and looks forward to continued involvement in nearly every aspect of the office.

"You tend to get involved with issues in just about every area, which is very interesting," she said. "You pretty much know what's going on throughout the office, and obviously there's a lot."

Gleason is a 1990 graduate of the DePaul University College of Law. She did her undergraduate work at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

With Gleason's appointment to first assistant, Barsanti said he is leaving open four vacant lawyer and support staff positions, as well as that of the criminal division chief, as a cost-saving measure.