John Idleburg: Candidate Profile

Bio

Name: John Idleburg

City: Zion

Website: www.JohnIdleburg.com

Twitter: @JohnIdleburg

Facebook: @IdleburgforSheriff

Party: Democrat

Office sought: Lake County Sheriff

Age: 62

Family: Married for 30 years and hope for 30 more.

I am the father of 3 adult children

I am the grandfather of 5 grand children

and parent of 3 rescue dogs.

Occupation: Retired

Education: Criminal Investigator Training, Special Agent, Federal Law Enforcement Training

Center (FLETC)

National Technical Investigators' Association, Electronic and Technical

Surveillance Training

Certificate of Completion of Behavior Assessment and Elicitation from Center for

CIA Security

Continuing Legal Education Training, FLETC

College of Lake County

Internal Security Advanced Investigative Techniques Training FLETC

Advanced Investigator Training FLETC

Defense Investigative Service (DIS), training for DIS Special Agent

Defense Investigative Service, Personal Security Investigations Training

Chicago Police Training Academy

Advanced Undercover Investigative Techniques School FLETC

Advanced Financial Fraud Training FLETC

Defensive Tactics Instructor FLETC

Internal Security Contract & Procurement Fraud Training FLETC

Undercover Case Management Training FLETC

Undercover Investigative Techniques School FLETC

Internal Security Drug Investigative Techniques FLETC

Basic Instructor Training School (FLETC Certified Instructor), FLETC

Technical Investigative Equipment Training FLETC

IRS, Internal Security, Basic School FLETC

IRS, Internal Security, Criminal Investigation School FLETC

Advanced Interviewing Training Program FLETC

IRS, Internal Security, Drug Investigative Techniques FLETC

Training in the Terrorist & Extremist Threat Protecting America in a New Era,

Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Anti-Defamation League

Firearm Instructor Training, FLETC

Drug Investigation Training, United State Department of Justice (DOJ), Drug

Enforcement Administration

First Line of Defense Combating Terrorism Training, DOJ, Office of the United

State's attorney

Civic involvement: Commissioner with the Lake County Housing Authority

Commissioner on the Police and Fire Commission Board in Zion, IL

Past Post Commander/member American Legion Post 865, Zion, IL

Member of the Marine Corps League Lake County Detachment 801

Past Commissioner for the Zion Zoning Board

Elected offices held: None

Questions & Answers

Question 1: 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 have dedicated my entire career to the protection of others with my time in federal law enforcement and the United States Marine Corps. I bring an extensive experience in law enforcement and started my law enforcement career as a Lake County Sheriff Deputy.

From there I moved on to work for the Great Lakes Police Department, United States

Department of Defense and the United States Department of Treasury as a Special

Agent.

This experience in law enforcement has provided me with a clear understanding of law

enforcement operations and the importance of a strong and competent leadership.

My priority will be to maintain a well-trained, highly reputable department,

on the roads, in the jails and in the courtrooms. I would prioritize implementation of a

school safety program using available resources. I will initiate a training protocol and

provide necessary resources to the employees of the Sheriff's Department. This will

enhance their ability to provide law enforcement exemplary law enforcement services to

the residents of Lake County. This can be accomplished with current funding by

prioritizing training and properly equipping first responders and eliminating very costly

and unnecessary out of state training.

As Sheriff, I will lead by example, conducting myself in a manner that is not contrary to

what I would expect from my deputies. I will enforce a fair and nondiscriminatory

system of discipline when necessary. I will enforce a fair and nondiscriminatory

promotional system and promote from within the agency based on merit and

experience.

Question 2: How can the number of jail inmates be reduced?

To reduce the number of jail inmates, we must first understand the type of inmate that is

housed at the Lake County jail. The population of the jail is primarily a transient

population. An inmate sentenced to terms more than a year are transferred to a facility

of the Illinois Department of Corrections. Many inmates are awaiting bond hearings and

some are serving sentences less than a year.

It would be remiss if those detained in the jail were not introduced and provided with the

opportunity and resources to avoid future incarceration. More importantly, the Lake

County Jail has a unique opportunity to make more of a positive impact to ensure that

these individuals do not become repeat or escalating offenders by connecting them to

resources.

Several programs have been in use prior to the incumbent's time as Sheriff like GED

programs, substance use counseling, anger management, NA & AA, Celebrate

Recovery (a faith based AA), church services, Read to ME (a program were mothers

would read stories into a recorder and the recording and book would be provided to

their children), and life skills courses (resume building and interviewing techniques).

These programs can reduce the jail population by providing inmates services that

prepare them for life outside of the correctional system. These programs should be

continued and expanded. More importantly, as inmates are exiting the jail, we must

ensure they are connected with resources to help then find housing, continued

treatment, education resources, and jobs.

Question 3: Are there nontraditional programs or initiatives you favor to advance the role of the office and/or engage citizens?

The Sheriff's Office has jurisdiction throughout the county. However, it does not provide

primary law enforcement services for every city, village, or town. Many have their own

police departments which provide this service. The Sheriff's Office provides primary law

enforcement services to the unincorporated areas of the county and those villages and

towns without their own police department. As Lake County Sheriff, I will make every

effort to develop and maintain a strong and positive relationship with the citizens of Lake

County. As Lake County Sheriff I will implement a program where either I or a member

of my Administrative Command Staff will attend meetings of Townships and

communities that receive their primary police services from the Sheriff's Office. These

interactions will provide the forum to listen to and address concerns, provide updates on

Sheriff's Office activities, deliver crime statistics specific to their entity and provide

information on crime prevention.

The previously mentioned training protocol I will initiate will enhance a first responders abilities. This will also enhance the positive image of the agency, as the first responders are the best ambassadors for the agency.

In addition, previously mentioned was a school safety program which will include attending school board and PTA meetings to listen to, address, and inform those in attendance of the Sheriff's Office's endeavors at providing a safe and secure learning

environment in the dozens of schools receiving primary police services from the Sheriff's Office.

Question 4: The LCSO has been featured on one national television show, and plans to be featured on a second show in the near future. Do you believe such attention is beneficial to the office? Why or why not?

The national television program shows deputies responding to different situations across Lake County. These programs are a good means to illustrate what law

enforcement personnel encounter on a daily basis. While I am not familiar with the particulars of the production of the program I am aware that those participating deputies in the filming are working, in addition to those deputy personnel assigned to patrol each

district. I am also aware that a command officer follows those participating in filming.

I would not be in favor of participating in this activity if the Sheriff's Office was responsible for any related expenses that would be an undue burden to Lake County taxpayers. Furthermore, I would need more information regarding potential liabilities and

would consult with the civil division of the State's Attorney Office.

Question 5: LCSO is subcontracted to provide police service for numerous communities, including Volo, Wadsworth and others. Do you believe these contracts should continue in the future, or would you prefer to see these communities start providing their own police force? Why or why now?

For several years many incorporated villages that do not have their own police department have contracted this service from the Sheriff's Office. While the Sheriff is required statutorily to respond to 911 calls in these areas, these incorporated villages choose to contract a Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle dedicated specifically to their village.

These contractual services are beneficial for these villages and the Sheriff's Office for

the following reasons:

● The Sheriff's Office has limited resources across very large districts.

● Contracted services provide additional Deputies to respond to calls for service

and provide a proactive visible presence.

● Additional resources enhance officer safety and response times.

● Contracted services provide services exclusive to the village.

● The villages have direct input and communication with the patrol Deputies

concerning patrol strategies, unique requests and proactive initiatives.

● The villages feel as they have their own police without the exorbitant cost of

establishing their own agency.

In addition, some villages may contract with the Sheriff's Office for specific hours of concern for traffic enforcement. Therefore, I would not only support continuing these services, but increasing them upon the request of a village.