Kane Co. sergeant named state's correctional officer of the year

For his work in helping the Kane County Sheriff's Department transition from the old jail to the new one last year, Sgt. Corey Hunger has been named the Corrections Officer of the Year by the Illinois Sheriff's Association.

Hunger, 37, of North Aurora, will receive the award Feb. 2 at a ceremony in Moline.

"The fact the jail is running as well as it is now is a testament to him," Kane County Sheriff Pat Perez said Thursday.

Last year, as the department prepared to move into the new jail, the 13-year sheriff's department veteran was charged with redefining the department's correctional philosophy, including rewriting its policies and procedures for the new, direct monitoring system used at the new facility.

He also monitored the construction of the jail daily, and worked on policies for hiring and training employees.

"It was a tough one, but it was a fair one," he said of the experience.

Perez, in the nominating letter, praised Hunger's "pragmatic approach" and eagerness to learn new concepts.

Hunger is now part of the jail's classification team, which is in charge of determining what area of the facility new inmates should be placed, based on the charges against them, their past jail behavior and how they behave during the three-day intake review.