No extra costs in Kane County coroner probe

If you've been following the stories about the ongoing investigation into Kane County Coroner Chuck West's office, you might've been wondering how much all this is costing local taxpayers.

The short answer is, no more than usual.

According to State's Attorney John Barsanti, special prosecution services are included in a $30,000 contract the county has with the state-funded appellate prosecutor's office, which also represents Barsanti in criminal appeals.

That amount doesn't fluctuate from year to year, he said, regardless of the workload.

"It's a hugely good deal," Barsanti said. "You get however many lawyer hours you need."

Special prosecutors are called in when there's a potential conflict of interest in an investigation, often if it involves a current or former county employee or a lawyer who has worked with the state's attorney.

In the West matter, special prosecutor Charles Colburn has been brought in to investigate a possible official misconduct case in lieu of Barsanti's office, which, needless to say, works closely with the coroner and relies on his findings.

Since Colburn's office is in Springfield, the county usually pays for a hotel stay the night before a court appearance, Barsanti said, and also provides some office space and a telephone at the courthouse in St. Charles.

"That's really the extent of it," he said.

Oops: Looks like Manuel A. Rodriguez will be needing a ride to his next court date.

The 33-year-old Pingree Grove man was arrested for driving on a suspended license earlier this month as he left Elgin Branch Court, 150 Dexter Court, according to the Kane County Sheriff's Department.

A police report says two deputies received information that Rodriguez had driven a red pickup truck to his March 11 appearance in an unrelated misdemeanor battery case, despite having a suspended license.

After confirming the information by running Rodriguez's registration number, the deputies waited for him in the parking lot and then stopped him once he pulled onto North Grove Avenue, the report says.

After he was arrested, Rodriguez's truck was towed.

Law scholarships: In more positive news, the Kane County Bar Foundation is accepting applications for its annual law school scholarships.

Each year, members contribute donations to come up with two $1,000 scholarships for students who either live in Kane County or whose parents live here.

Applicants must attend law school in the 2010-11 school year to be eligible.

Applications are due May 1, and can be downloaded at kanecountybar.org. For more information, call (630) 762-1915.