Jennifer Banek: 2024 candidate for Lake County coroner

Bio

Party: Democrat

Office Sought: Lake County Coroner

City: Green Oaks

Age: 51

Occupation: Nurse anesthetist

Previous offices held: Current Lake County Coroner; Cook County Library District Trustee

Why are you running for this office, whether for reelection or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?

The mission of the coroner's office is to conduct efficient and thorough death investigations, particularly focusing on preventable deaths. While it operates as an extension of law enforcement, it is equally crucial to our public health system.

The office must collaborate with community policymakers, including county board members, the health department, local municipalities, and legislators, to ensure appropriate resource allocation. This includes funding for harm reduction, mental health services, and improved pedestrian and bicycle pathways. I am motivated to run for this office to use the stories of those who have passed to benefit and support the living members of our community.

If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you've led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?

I successfully integrated the Lake County Coroner's case reporting log with Gift of Hope (GOH), streamlining the process and increasing GOH referrals by over 2,400%. This enhancement led to 24 donors benefiting 600 GOH recipients.

By identifying $150,000 in unnecessary spending, I reallocated funds through zero-cost solutions and transferred redundant resources to areas where they could be more effectively used.

I also established a monthly accountability feedback system for deputies' case closures, resulting in improved statistical accuracy for preventable deaths and reduced waiting times for families to receive permanent death certificates.

Additionally, I created a publicly accessible coroner’s dashboard that provides real-time updates on homicides, overdoses, and suicides. By networking and forming partnerships with community resources, such as Missing Pieces of Lurie Children's Hospital, I was able to offer meaningful support to local families.

What special experience and professional qualifications does a person need to be an effective coroner? What experiences and qualifications do you possess that will provide a foundation for your success in the office?

I have an undergraduate degree in biology and have been a Registered Nurse since 2005. In 2012, I became a nurse anesthesiologist, an Advanced Practice Nurse who specializes in caring for patients pre-, intra-, and post-operatively. I will graduate from George Washington University with a Master of Health Administration in May 2025.

My collective science, health provider, and public health background gives me a unique perspective into understanding the role of the coroner and the impact this office can have on making the community safer.

Additionally, I have 15+ years of Army Reserve service, which has fostered resilience and enhanced my leadership skills and my ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds. The discipline and adaptability honed through my military experience have been vital in managing complex challenges and leading with integrity — qualities that are essential for maintaining transparency and making a significant impact on public safety.

Describe your position regarding the allocation of resources in the coroner's office. Are personnel allocated as they should be? Are there capital expenses or other budgetary items that the office must address, and, if so, how do you propose to address them?

Since taking office in 2020, I have successfully reduced annual staff overtime expenditures from approximately $65,000 to under $1,000 through more diligent management and oversight of staffing.

Additionally, we have transitioned large budgetary line items from being paid for with property taxes to being internally covered by fees collected statutorily from within the office. My office has adopted a fiscally conservative approach, prioritizing prudent budget management and efficiency.

Describe your position on transparency and public service in the coroner's office and the ease of access to records by the public. If you believe improvements are needed, what are they and how would you go about achieving them?

When I took office, I immediately recognized the importance of transparency and began submitting monthly reports to the Lake County Board.

These reports not only detail death investigation turnaround times, but also provide insights into current trends related to critical issues like the opioid crisis. The coroner's office plays a crucial role in investigating preventable deaths, and it is vital that we are transparent with our data to enable legislators and policymakers to make informed decisions aimed at enhancing community safety.

In the last six months, we have taken further steps to enhance transparency by launching a coroner's dashboard. This dashboard, which is accessible 24/7, provides real-time data on key metrics such as homicides, suicides, and overdoses in Lake County.

By making this information readily available, we aim to foster a more informed and engaged community, support data-driven policy decisions, and ultimately contribute to a safer environment for all residents.

Please describe your philosophy about working with the media to get information to the public.

Working with the media to share available information is critical. My office has demonstrated this commitment over the past four years. Sometimes, pending investigations prevent us from disclosing details to the media. As soon as details become available, however, we disclose them.

When addressing families, I inform them that basic information about their loved ones may be shared with the media and explain the Freedom of Information Act process to ensure they are not caught off guard by press releases. I believe this approach helps maintain transparency and ensures the community receives information from a reliable source.