Artis Yancey: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: WaukeganWebsite: http://www.coroneryancey.comOffice sought: Lake CoronerAge: 52Family: Married, with childrenOccupation: Lake County Coroner, retired Waukegan Police ChiefEducation: Lewis University, M.S./CJ,2005, Northeastern Ill, Univ, B.A.,2000, Harvard Univ, JFK School of Gov't, 2008. ILETSB EMP 2006, Northwestern Univ. Center for Public Safety: School of Police Staff and Command 2001 and EMP, 2004, FBI Nat'l Acad, 2002,Civic involvement: Urban League of Lake County Youth College Tour Chaperone and Committee Advisor, Nicasa Youth Advisory Board, Lake County Youth Workforce Steering Committee, Little Fort Lions, Lifestar Youth Advisory Board, Salvation Army Advisory Board, Waukegan Township CARES to Benefit Seniors Advisory Committee, North East Multi-Regional Training Finance and Audit Committee, Cops and Kids Reading Program, Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Presenter(HOBY).Appointed by the Governor to the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, 2010: Lake County Juneteenth Community Service Award, 2010; Urban League of Lake County: Volunteer of the Year, 2004; People's Voice: Lake County Most Influential African American, 2004 Waukegan Exchange Club: Police Officer of the Year, 2002 International Association of Chiefs of Police(IACP), National Association of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy Associates(FBINAA), Northwestern University Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command(SPSC) and Executive Management Program(EMP) Alumni Associates, Hispanic Illinois State Law Enforcement Association(HISLEA), Waukegan Police Pension Board, Lake County Major Crimes Task Force Executive Board, Lake County Crime Stoppers Executive Board.Elected offices held: Appointed Lake County Coroner April 2011 to PresentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 My number one issue over the 8 months that I have been in office has been the restoration of the operational workings of the Coroner's office to an acceptable level of wellness. This has been achieved by the use of nationally recognized best practices and common sense cures that are a part of our mission to obtain accreditation through the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME). The widely reported challenges having to do with decedent disposition back logs, lost or stolen evidence and case management have been rectified and the operational IQ has been increased under this administration. The implementations of computer scannable bar code tracking that allows for coordination of the deceased, all properties, collected evidence and autopsy related materials to be tracked and stored properly. Also, the reconciliation of previous cases and evidentiary materials held for prosecutorial purposes are now properly stored and maintained as well. Also, a primary concern has been to adopt protocol that allows the office to focus on sound fiscal policies that are mindful of the hard earned county tax dollars that we utilize. This administration has brought the office back under the established county purchasing umbrella, this affords the office the ability take advantage of cost cutting discounts and in many cases the avoidance of high shipping fees, while focusing on spending Lake County tax dollars at Lake County businesses and doing our part to keep Lake County residents employed.Key Issue 2 The second issue that has been rectified under this administration; has been the restoration of compassion dignity and respect for the deceased and loved ones. This has been accomplished by the re-thinking of office policies that circumvent the healing process for the next of kin and loved ones. A common sense cure to this problem was dismantling the policy of not allowing next of kin the ability (when appropriate) to view the deceased while in our care. To facilitate this endeavor we have re-modeled an office into a family room that is aesthetically pleasing calming and comfortable with a newly installed secured camera line from the viewing area to a wide screen monitor that will allow the loved ones to view their loved one in a decent respectful manner. This will allow the decease' family and loved ones the opportunity begin a pathway to healing and closure.Key Issue 3 It is my personal belief that the Coroner's is an extremely well suited vehicle to bring about public awareness regarding preventable deaths such as suicides, motor vehicle deaths due to distracted driving, safe infant bedding mechanisms and deaths due to illegal drug use. This initiative is our "Preventable Tragedies Series', which also includes public services announcements, office tours and outreach to areas school age children and their parents with the hope of initiating thought provoking conversations on these tough topics and turn them into teachable moments that will help save lives.Questions Answers The last two coroners (Keller and Wipper) ended their service in controversy. How will you professionalize the office to prevent scandal and boost public service? Be specific.Since my taking office in April of last year, many policies and protocols have been implemented to ensure that best practices are being followed. Many ill-conceived practices that were being utilized have been discontinued; for instance the office now follows prescribed state statutes in the performance of our duties; from driving county vehicles to how autopsies are conducted. We have gone to a standardized uniform for the deputies and office staff that offers a clean professional look that also identifies the office and the deputy. The case management system along with other system solutions offer checks and balances that prevent lost or misplaced property and the proper destruction of hazardous materials, as well as reconciling decedent dispositions in the most expedient manner possible. The above listed solutions along with remaining mindful that as public servants we deal with human condition that deserves the upmost respect and dignity to all that we serve.What is the most important aspect of the coroner's job? How will you handle that task better than your opponents' Please explain in detail.I have over my tenure as coroner I have shown proven leadership and offered the much needed positive direction and consistency that the office lacked. The administration of the daily challenges that arise and ensuring that every concern and question is properly handled via best practices and the highest level of compassion.What aspects of the office do you believe needs improvement? Be specific.I feel that the administration of every office should be considered a work in progress and our daily view is a forward thinking one that allows our goals and objectives to be re-defined when needed. This prevents stagnation of ideals and allows re assessment of our strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats (SWOT).Does the office do much in the way of comforting crime victims' families' Please explain. If not, should that be a role of the coroner's office?I believe that a large part of our mission should be the comforting of crime victims' families. I feel that the best way to offer such comfort and closure is to conduct the highest quality medi-legal investigation possible the office now has the experience and willingness to do just that. We have formed good working relationships with other agencies in regards to information sharing that will assist us in obtaining this goal. Another way in which we are able to achieve this goal was in the form of a common sense cure; the policy of not allowing next of kin the ability (when appropriate) to view the deceased while in our care has been discontinued to facilitate this endeavor we have re-modeled an office into a family room that is aesthetically pleasing, calming and comfortable with a newly installed secured camera line from the viewing area to a wide screen monitor that will allow the loved ones to view their loved one in a decent respectful manner. This will allow the decease' family and loved ones the opportunity begin a pathway to healing and closure.Does the coroner need to be a medical doctor? Why or why not? Please explain in detail.I believe that it should not be a requirement for the coroner to be a medical doctor. Traditionally Lake County's and other county coroners have not been doctors; the coroner's position is to rule on cause and manner of death via investigation. The coroner being a doctor it would create a conflict of interest to conduct an autopsy and rule on your own work.