Kane judge race filling up

It's starting to get a bit crowded in the race for a Kane County judgeship next year in the 16th Judicial Circuit.

So far, two associate judges and two local attorneys have announced their candidacies for one seat on the circuit bench.

The latest contender is Judge Leonard Wojtecki of Geneva, who has handled criminal and civil cases in DeKalb, Kane and Kendall counties since he was appointed to an associate position 10 years ago.

In a news release announcing his candidacy, Wojtecki cites his experience in serious criminal matters such as home invasion and murder cases, as well as "large-scale" civil lawsuits.

"I think that experience matters and I hope I have served and will continue to serve everyone well," said Wojtecki, a former prosecutor in Cook County and public defender in Kendall County.

Joining Wojtecki in the Republican primary Feb. 2, 2010, are Geneva attorney D.J. Tegeler, who announced his campaign months ago, and Associate Judge Robert Janes, who announced in September.

Janes was appointed 13 years ago and today presides over child support, divorce, paternity and order of protection cases in Kane County. Janes, too, is a former prosecutor and public defender who touts broad experience in the region.

Tegeler has practiced law for 20 years and runs his own firm. In addition to defense work, he has been appointed by circuit court judges to civil and criminal cases, and also helped set drug court guidelines.

"I understand what the citizens of the 16th Judicial Circuit expect and need from our judges," Tegeler said in a news release.

In the other corner: As for Democrats, only Elgin attorney John Dalton has announced plans to seek the Kane County position in 2010.

Dalton has practiced law for 22 years, during which he has rendered hundreds of decisions as an arbitrator and appeared in state and federal court, according to a news release.

"I will use my experience as an arbitrator and a trial attorney to render fair and independent decisions," he said. "The people of Kane County deserve to have judges they can rely on to uphold the integrity of the law."

Saying goodbye: St. Charles Deputy Police Chief David Jannusch didn't want any fanfare this month when he retired after 25 years on the force.

Somehow, though, his just appeared in the paper.

"He'll probably shoot me for doing this," Police Chief Jim Lamkin joked over the phone last week.

Jannusch's last day was Oct. 2, a result of the city's voluntary retirement incentive. Over the years, Lamkin said, he mastered just about every aspect of police work there is, from patrol and investigations to administration.

Lamkin said Jannusch demonstrated superior detective skills and was "very engaged" in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run fundraiser for Special Olympics.

"He had a passion," Lamkin, who promoted Jannusch to deputy chief about five years ago, said. "Whether it was somebody stopping him in the lobby or in the parking lot, he would stop and help them out however he could. And that's a big part of police work. He liked what he did. He enjoyed the people part of it."