The County Sheriff plays an integral role in the criminal justice system of Champaign County, ranging from law enforcement to jail management, and courthouse operations.
The Law Enforcement Division is the primary law enforcement agency for those who live in unincorporated areas and/or villages who lack their own independent police force. The Sheriff’s Office is an active partner with city police agencies in all aspects of law enforcement including deputies assigned to the combined Street Crimes Gun Violence Task Force.
The Corrections Division is responsible for managing the two jail facilities including providing care for all confined, and ensuring that each defendant appears in court as directed. Further, this division must provide proper and constitutionally appropriate care, housing, and safety for inmates who are very violent, have severe mental health problems, and/or significant medical issues. Each year there are roughly 5,500 people booked into the Champaign County Jail.
Finally, the Court Security Division secures and manages the day to day safety of the Champaign County Courthouse and occupants. |
Experience, Education, Leadership, and Solutions.
I am a 28 year veteran of the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office and I’ve had the honor of serving as a corrections officer, patrol deputy, investigator, sergeant, lieutenant, Jail Administrator, and now as Champaign County Chief Deputy.
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Sciences from Illinois State University, am a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy (261st Session), the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, and the National Institute of Corrections Jail Administrator School.
I have years of experience running a jail, which is a large component of a Sheriff's responsibility, and which involves complex matters that city or village police officers often have little knowledge of. As Chief Deputy, the second in command to the Sheriff, I have experience with running all aspects of a $12 million dollar office with roughly 150 employees.
While serving as Chief Deputy the past four years, I have led the charge implementing body cameras on all patrol deputies, pushed for Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) for both patrol deputies and corrections staff, and ensured that all patrol and correctional staff members have access to Narcan, a lifesaving tool to reduce drug overdoses. I have been a Co-Administrator of a Justice Department grant that is assisting our community in finding ways to reduce the prevalence of the mentally ill in jail, to reduce the length of stay for the seriously mentally ill in jail, and to provide alternatives to incarceration for those with mental illness or substance abuse problems. I have also played an integral role as liaison between the Champaign County Board and the Sheriff’s Office during this period of county budget uncertainty.
As Sheriff I won’t rest on the laurels of the work that has been done, but will continue to focus on the constant pursuit of excellence in service and safety of our staff. I will use my experience and leadership gathered through the years to continue open and vital conversations with the judiciary, the States Attorney’s office, and community members. |
I am completely focused on the job I plan to do for the citizens of Champaign County. As Sheriff, I will partner with our local police agencies in combating gun violence that is plaguing some neighborhoods by remaining in the Street Crimes Gun Violence Task Force. We will continue to participate in the C-U Fresh Start Initiative as well as the work of the Community Coalition.
As Sheriff, I will continue the work that has been done with local hospitals, community health providers, and other non-profits to explore ways to reduce the prevalence of those with mental illnesses and/or drug addictions entering the jail. I will explore ways to leverage funding from outside sources to bring about a system of care that will benefit all citizens facing these illnesses or addictions.
Finally, I will work to increase the number of deputies on the streets and corrections staff in the jail to improve safety, training, and managing the increasing requirements placed upon our office via regulations and unfunded mandates from the state legislature and Congress. |
The building that contains the downtown jail and sheriff’s office is in poor repair. As Sheriff, I will continue to advocate for the closure of the downtown building, the relocation of the sheriff’s office headquarters and the expansion of the satellite jail to accommodate the consolidation of all jail beds into one building. The expansion of the satellite jail does not need to be a bed for bed replacement of the downtown jail, but requires the addition of specialized housing to accommodate those with all varieties of medical, mental and/or behavioral health needs. The consolidation of facilities will allow for appropriate levels of safety and staffing to be achieved by having all inmates and officers within a single location. |
