Lake County State’s Attorney’s office creating financial crimes unit
The Lake County State’s attorney’s office recently announced that its budget for 2024 includes funding for the creation of a financial crimes unit that will target identity and credit card theft, embezzlement and wage theft.
Under the budget recently approved by the county board, the state’s attorney’s office will add victim specialists, a trial prosecutor in the special victims unit and some technology upgrades that will address the increased use of body cameras by police officers. The county budget includes a $1.6 million increase for the prosecutor’s office.
The financial crimes unit will also have a public mission to educate the public to avoid becoming a victim, and it will work with local police to help them investigate financial crimes, which can often be complex, said Assistant State’s Atty. Kevin Berrill, who will head up the unit.
“This new unit will help protect vulnerable Lake County residents susceptible to financial exploitation due to age or disability,” Berrill said. “Additionally, our work will help safeguard the local business community who also may be at risk of corporate fraud.”
State’s Atty. Eric Rinehart said the new budget shores up staffing for the violent crimes unit that his office started in 2021. The new budget will allow for salary increases for attorneys, and will help keep Lake competitive with state’s attorneys offices in the region
“We appreciate the board’s intentional decision to prioritize these public safety issues,” Rinehart said. “With competitive salaries, technology upgrades, and increased staff, we can advance our mission of supporting survivors, holding offenders accountable and protecting the community.”
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A gathering aimed at helping people cope with current and past traumas will take place from 6-8:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27, at the Belvidere Recreation Center, 412 S. Lewis Ave., Waukegan.
Clinician and international speaker Mark Sanders will be on hand to facilitate. The State’s attorney’s Office, which is sponsoring the event, said it hopes that attendees leave “with a better understanding of how to help families address dark secrets which fuel historical trauma, articulate ways in which entire communities are healing historical trauma, recognize the impact of trauma on the body, and utilize exercises to help deal with trauma.”
This opportunity is free, but preregistration is required. People can register at www.eventbrite.com/e/healing-historical-and-current-trauma-tickets.
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Zion police announced recently that they have charged two people with weapons offenses in separate incidents.
Fanitan Daniels, 35, of Waukegan, was arrested Nov. 11 after ZPD responded to a domestic abuse report in the 2200 block of Herman Avenue. Daniels, according to police, displayed a handgun while choking and battering an adult family member during an argument inside a vehicle. Two young children were also inside the vehicle, authorities said.
Police found a semi-automatic handgun inside the vehicle. Daniels was charged with felony counts of domestic battery and aggravated battery, along with unlawful use of a weapon. He was ordered detained at a hearing.
On Nov. 12, police stopped a vehicle after a traffic violation in the 2200 block of Enoch Avenue. After discovering the occupants were consuming alcohol, police developed cause to search the vehicles. One of the occupants, Andrew Sherrod, 42, of Zion had a pistol in his possession, police said. The weapon had been reported stolen.
Sherrod, a convicted felon, was charged with several weapons counts and a count of being an armed habitual offender. He was ordered held in the Lake County Jail.
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Local law enforcement agencies, including the Illinois State Police, are urging people to drive responsibly over the holiday weekend. To help ensure safe, sober motoring, many departments will be stepping up their enforcement efforts. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office offered these tips:
Plan for a sober ride home before you go out.
Call a taxi, take mass transit, or ask a family member to get you home safely.
Use your favorite ride-share service or take public transportation.
If you see an impaired driver, pull over safely and call 911.
Make sure everyone in your vehicle wears their seat belt. It is the best defense against an impaired driver.
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