Michael Donnenwirth: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: WaukeganWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lake County Coroner Age: 60Family: Wife Clare and two sons James and ThomasOccupation: Retired Police OfficerEducation: Western Illinois University Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement, 1978College of Lake County Associate of Applied Science in Law Enforcement, 1976Completed the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators Basic and Master's Courses.Over 2,000 hours of police and investigative training.Civic involvement: Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5-Member (Charter Member 1982)-Executive Board Member (1998), Served as Secretary, Vice President , President.-Executive Board - Labor Committee (2002), Served as Secretary, 1st Vice President, President, Past President Involved in negotiations of three labor contracts with City of Waukegan. Lake County Juvenile Officer's Association-Sergeant at Arms, Vice President, President, Past President (1999 to Present), Executive Director (2000-2001), Executive Board Member - Past President (2001-2003)Lake County SHOCAP (Serious Habitual Offender Comprehensive Action Program)-Chairman. Lake Shore Family Youth Services Executive Board-Vice President, PresidentWaukegan Municipal Employees Credit Union: -Member on Board,Chairman.Elected offices held: Ran for Lake County Board District 8 and was unsuccessful.Questions Answers Why are you running for this office? If you are running for re-election, is there an important project you want to implement? If you are a challenger, is there a particular issue that motivates you? Please explain.I feel that I could bring back professionalism and compassion to the office. I have been involved in Law Enforcement and death investigation for the past 38 years. I am pro union. I would work closely with all police and fire agencies to ensure proper, accurate and professional investigations, as well as keeping the general public and media with up to date information as long as it would not jeopardize an investigation or the safety of any individual.What aspects of the office do you think need improvement? Be specific. How would you address that need?Compassionate and timely death notifications would be a main priority. I would assist families with services that would be available to them and their loved ones in their time of need. I would bring structure that the office greatly needs. I would work to a get a removal service to assist the deputies. I would increase communication with hospitals, nursing homes, funeral homes and the residents of Lake County. Having myself and administrative staff assist the deputies when the staff is short. Everyone will work in the office if needed unlike the current office.Should the office remain an elected position or be converted to a medical examiner post in Lake County?I feel that the coroner's office should remain as an elected position. It makes the office holder answerable to public.What role, if any, does the coroner's office have in preventing deaths and engaging in local advocacy, such as encouraging use of Narcan and collecting unwanted prescription drugs? Is enough being done now in this area? Do you have an idea you'd implement if elected?The coroner's office will again implement preventative death programs that the current coroner eliminated. I would bring back child safety, bicycle safety, fire and crib safety, car seats safety/installation and safe kids USA. I would encourage the use of Narcan. The Lake County Sheriff's office has several deputies that are trained in the use of Narcan. I would encourage all police department in Lake County to train officers in the use of Narcan. Unwanted drugs and left over drugs would be gladly accepted by the coroner's office where they will be disposed of properly and safely.Please list any elected office you've ever run for and what the result of that election was. Have you ever been appointed to fill an unexpired term?Lake County Board District 8, unsuccessful.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I would be a FULL TIME coroner. I would keep an open door policy with the citizens of Lake County. This office would be able to assist or direct families in the proper procedures to follow when a loved one is lost. Having my Chief Deputy or me available in the office at all times during normal business unlike the current Coroner and Chief Deputy. Answering telephone calls and inquires promptly. Returning morale and a positive working environment to the office. As Past President of the Waukegan Police Labor Union I know how to follow county policies and labor contracts.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Sonia SotomayorWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Honesty and Integrity.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I wish I would have traveled more throughout the world when the opportunity presented itself.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Law enforcement and sociology. They allowed me to be a well- rounded police officer. Social skills and common sense are the most useful tools around.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Live by the golden rule and treat people the way you would like to be treated.