Meeting Events

Meeting: 6uiz2gh-bai.stephenson_county_il_court_services_committee_meeting_05_13_26

Meeting date: 2026-05-13

Meeting type: court_services_committee

This is a deterministic derived artifact, not official meeting minutes. Related records may be grouped for review while complete machine provenance remains in the JSON artifact.

Decisions and Votes

• Approval of Agenda — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to approve the agenda.
  • Evidence: “Can we get a motion for the approval of the agenda? So moved. Moved by Mr. Busker.”
  • Evidence: “Seeing none, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed, same sign. Motion passes.”
  • Source timestamp: 00:42

• Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes from April 8th, 2026 — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to approve the meeting minutes from April 8th, 2026.
  • Evidence: “Can I get a motion? So moved. Mr. Second.”
  • Evidence: “Seeing none, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed, same sign. Motion passes.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:12

• Approval of Claims totaling $56,422.08 — Passed

  • Summary: Motion to approve claims totaling $56,422.08.
  • Evidence: “Can I get a motion? So moved. Second. Motion by Ms. Williams, second by Mr. Busker.”
  • Evidence: “Seeing none, all those in favor say aye. I thought it was opposed, same sign, there are none, motion passes.”
  • Source timestamp: 01:40

• Adjournment of Meeting

  • Summary: Motion to adjourn the meeting.
  • Evidence: “can I get a motion for adjournment so move second motion by Mr. Busker seconded by Mr. Hadley”
  • Evidence: “all those in favor say aye. Aye.”
  • Source timestamp: 21:20

Procedural Actions

• Meeting Call to Order
  • Summary: The meeting was called to order for the core services committee on Wednesday, May 13th, 2026.
  • Evidence: “We call a meeting to order. Welcome to everyone to the meeting of the core services committee, Wednesday, May 13th, 2026.”
  • Source timestamp: 00:00

Financial and Contract Events

• Youth diversion fees collection
  • Summary: The amount collected for youth diversion fees this month was $673.50.
  • Evidence: “Youth diversion fees, this month we got $673.50”
  • Source timestamp: 21:02

Presentations and Reports

• Probation Department Updates

  • Summary: Updates provided regarding the second probation supervisor position and juvenile services programming.
  • Evidence: “So just a few updates. So you have the report in front of you. Tammy Nieman was going to, had accepted the second probation supervisor position. However, due to some personal issues, she is not able to relocate at this time.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:29

• Juvenile Services and Youth Programming Research

  • Summary: Presented research on cognitive behavioral programs for youth, mentioning the collaboration between Miss Counseling Services and Course Corrections.
  • Evidence: “Secondly, I have Mr. Hale here, Lamont Hale, some of you may know him. I know Mr. Hale, you have talked about juvenile services and youth programming and I have done research and looked into different programs and really the push now is more towards the cognitive behavioral programs.”
  • Source timestamp: 03:26

• Pathways Forward Program Details

  • Summary: Description of the 16-week program called Pathways Forward, focusing on mental health and substance abuse.
  • Evidence: “So I got 20 Miss Counseling Services. I’m the owner and CEO of it. And then I teamed up with Chris. Chris is from Rockford. He owns Course Corrections. He does stuff with domestic violence and substance abuse over in Rockford. And so him and I teamed up together. So with this 16-week Program is called Pathways Forward.”
  • Source timestamp: 04:46

• Coping Skills Training Methodology

  • Summary: The program uses topic discussions to assess coping skills, distinguishing between healthy, unhealthy, and neutral responses.
  • Evidence: “So it’s really just like we’re sitting in here now, we’ll bring up a topic. So this week, the topic was coping skills, right? So I asked him, have you became overwhelmed?”
  • Source timestamp: 04:46

• Probation Group Meeting Schedule

  • Summary: The group meeting for probation is held on Mondays from five to six thirty at the Boys and Girls Club.
  • Evidence: “Probation gets a, a report every, the group is held on Mondays from five to six thirty at the Boys and Girls Club.”
  • Source timestamp: 06:57

• Assistant State’s Attorney report (Tom Manning)

  • Summary: Tom Manning reported that the office closed more cases than were open in the past month.
  • Evidence: “As far as Carl’s report, I guess one of the main positives is for following the offenses. We closed more cases than we’re open in the past month.”
  • Source timestamp: 18:44

• Circuit Clerk report (United States Attorney)

  • Summary: The Circuit Clerk noted that Ellen Williams is retiring on June 1st after 20 and a half years of service.
  • Evidence: “And also in her department, Ellen Williams is retiring June 1st. She has 20 and a half years of dedicated service.”
  • Source timestamp: 20:33

• Circuit Clerk Report

  • Summary: The circuit clerk’s report was presented.
  • Evidence: “Other than that, we have the circuit clerk’s report and I didn’t see anything that anybody see any when they’re there.”
  • Source timestamp: 20:52

Discussion

• Juvenile Caseload Analysis

  • Summary: Observation that the majority of youth in trouble came from single parent homes, mostly where there was no male father figure.
  • Evidence: “And in reviewing our juvenile caseload, and this is not a knock against single parents, but we did find that the majority of them, the youth that were in trouble came from single parent homes, mostly where the male, there was no male father figure.”
  • Source timestamp: 04:15

• Probation reporting procedures

  • Summary: The group reports to probation on what happened in the group, the topic for that week, the topic for next week, attendance, and participation.
  • Evidence: “Probation gets a report every, the group is held on Mondays from five to six thirty at the Boys and Girls Club. Probation gets a report, what happened in the group, what was the topic about for that week, what was the topic talking about for next week, what were the attendance who all showed up and then the participation, did they participate? So we don’t go into detail with probation about what was discussed, we just move over a general view of they participated, they showed up, this is what was talked about, this is what’s going to be talked about next, is kind of what we do.”
  • Source timestamp: 06:57

• Juvenile educational support

  • Summary: A question was raised regarding assistance for juveniles kicked out of high school who need to get their GED.
  • Evidence: “Yes, so we’re sending the juveniles to this program, correct? What are we doing about juveniles that are kicked out of high school and to try to get their GED and stuff like that? Is that something you work with?”
  • Source timestamp: 07:43

• Juvenile educational support

  • Summary: The speaker stated they do not specifically work with juveniles trying to get their GED, but it is a collaborative effort involving the juvenile officer and other agencies for truancy.
  • Evidence: “So I don’t specifically work with juveniles trying to get their GED. I mean, the kids that we hear are referred to by the probation officer. And so if they may be kicked out of school Yeah, that’s a collaborative effort with the juvenile officer and other agencies to work with the families with truancy.”
  • Source timestamp: 07:57

• Workforce Connection Board resources for juveniles

  • Summary: The speaker recommended Chairman Helms due to her involvement with the Workforce Connection Board regarding juvenile programs.
  • Evidence: “I might recommend Chairman Helms, you’re on the Workforce Connection Board. There’s juvenile money for Stephenson County programs and stuff like that.”
  • Source timestamp: 08:48

• Community resources for GED testing

  • Summary: The speaker mentioned Goodwill Services as a resource that pays for pre-tests and subsequent testing.
  • Evidence: “there is programs through Goodwill Services, I believe that pays for them for their pre-test and then they’re testing and they take care of that stuff.”
  • Source timestamp: 09:03

• Relatability factor in counseling

  • Summary: The speaker discussed the importance of relatability, noting that being black males allowed him and Chris to connect with the kids.
  • Evidence: “And I won’t say cyber-interrupting but I think that’s why myself and Chris can relate to the kids because we both black males and they open up and talk to us and so they feel like they can relate to it.”
  • Source timestamp: 09:39

• Probation restrictions on freedom

  • Summary: A comment was made regarding probation restricting freedom, which prompted a discussion about the nature of such restrictions.
  • Evidence: “Well, probation, they restrict our freedom is basically the main concern. They restrict our freedom.”
  • Source timestamp: 10:42

• Juvenile program flexibility vs. adult court orders

  • Summary: The speaker explained that juvenile officers have more flexibility in what they can order compared to adult court limitations.
  • Evidence: “So our particular program that we feel might be beneficial may not be ordered by the court. Whereas the Juneau officers have more of a window to say, okay, this is what we feel you need to do. It’s more of an open court order, if that makes sense. It’s more, it’s a stronger suggestion.”
  • Source timestamp: 13:20

• Program effectiveness and community observation

  • Summary: The speaker noted seeing progress in the program by observing former participants in the community.
  • Evidence: “So you see progress in this? I mean, they want to, you know, some just don’t want to be helped and some want to be helped, you know. I will say all the cues that we got has been coming, you can see a difference from the beginning and some kids aren’t in the group anymore, but I see them in the community and they still remember what was taught to them.”
  • Source timestamp: 13:44

• Program effectiveness and community support

  • Summary: The speaker observed progress in participants who are now in the community and still remember what was taught.
  • Evidence: “I will say all the cues that we got has been coming, you can see a difference from the beginning and some kids aren’t in the group anymore, but I see them in the community and they still remember what was taught to them.”
  • Source timestamp: 13:56

• Program name identification

  • Summary: The speaker confirmed the name of the 16-week program is Pathways Forward.
  • Evidence: “What exactly is the name of your 16 week program? Pathways Forward.”
  • Source timestamp: 14:20

• School board and accountability concerns

  • Summary: A speaker expressed concern that accountability in school was lacking, suggesting the probation context should be used to motivate students.
  • Evidence: “And I’ve been talking to the school board and accountability, in my opinion, is lacking in the school. And it sounds like you’re addressing that at all, which I think is, you know, you’re telling these kids, if you do this, that’s why you’re in probation, you know?”
  • Source timestamp: 14:26

• Opportunity for rehabilitation vs. incarceration

  • Summary: A speaker contrasted the opportunity to change life outside with the long-term consequences of detention center sentences.
  • Evidence: “Like hey, look, I was at the detention center, there were six kids in the first degree murder. They’re going to be there for like 30, 40 years, right? So you have opportunity to change your life around.”
  • Source timestamp: 15:03

• Ordinance violation handling via online program

  • Summary: The speaker explained that for juvenile ordinance violations, the service places them in an online life skills program and orders courses based on the type of trouble.
  • Evidence: “And the other thing, Mr. Hadley, is if a juvenile isn’t formally charged or if they have like an ordinance violation, and one of the things that we do is we’ll put them in our life skills program, which is an online program.”
  • Source timestamp: 15:35

• Program structure for ordinance violations

  • Summary: The speaker detailed that courses taken can vary based on the nature of the violation, such as taking an English management course for disorderly conduct.
  • Evidence: “So we’ll order them to take different courses based on what type of trouble they’re getting into. So like if they may have like a disorderly conduct when they take an English management course.”
  • Source timestamp: 15:51

• Program scheduling and funding

  • Summary: The speaker confirmed the program runs on Mondays from 5 to 6 PM at the Boy and Girl’s Club, funded by probation service fees.
  • Evidence: “What day of the week is that? Mondays from 5 to 6. There’s the Boy and Girl’s Club. And this is paid for out of probation service fees.”
  • Source timestamp: 16:34

• Program participant numbers

  • Summary: The speaker reported having had up to nine or ten participants, currently down to about six.
  • Evidence: “How many participants do you have? So last, well this week we had, I think it was six. We’ve had nine, up to nine, nine or 10.”
  • Source timestamp: 17:37

• State’s Attorney staffing and training

  • Summary: The office is short one position; Kayden Goodman was hired as a 7-11 student attorney handling juvenile abuse, neglect, delinquency, and felony petitions to revoke.
  • Evidence: “No, we’re short. One position right now, we hired our victim witness coordinator, Kayden Goodman was hired as a 7-11 student attorney. So she’s been handling juvenile abuse and neglect, juvenile delinquency and our felony petitions to revoke.”
  • Source timestamp: 19:06

• State’s Attorney supervision requirements

  • Summary: When Kayden Goodman is in court, an supervising attorney must be present.
  • Evidence: “But when she’s in the court room, we have to have an attorney with her supervising.”
  • Source timestamp: 19:28

Proclamations and Recognitions

• Graduation and Retirement Acknowledgements
  • Summary: Chanel is absent due to Chief Deputy Clerk Brandy Malan Con’s graduation from the Leadership Institute at Highland College. Ellen Williams is retiring June 1st after 20 and a half years of service.
  • Evidence: “Chanel is absent because she is also at the graduation for Chief Deputy Clerk Brandy Malan Con, I think her name is, she’s graduating from today from the Leadership Institute at Highland College. So congratulations to her. And also in her department, Ellen Williams is retiring June 1st. She has 20 and a half years of dedicated service.”
  • Source timestamp: 20:17

Follow-ups

• Second Probation Supervisor Position
  • Summary: The second probation supervisor position has been reposted as of April 27th and needs to be filled by August 20th.
  • Evidence: “So in speaking with the administrative office, we’ve decided to move forward with that position. So it has been reposted as of April 27th. So if there is someone that you know of who is interested, please send them my way. I’ll probably conducting interviews maybe around the first week of June. That position does need to be filled by August 20th or I would have to file a supplemental because it is to be done within this fiscal year.”
  • Source timestamp: 02:54