It’s been a little over two years since you elected me as your Sheriff. It’s hard to believe that by the end of this summer I will pull a petition to run for reelection in 2022. I am proud of the Grundy County Sheriff’s Department and all we have accomplished in the last two years. There has been a great deal of effort and emphasis put forth to improve upon:
Department communication and team building
Training
Policy
Proper and functioning equipment and tools for officers
Combating drugs in Grundy
No one could have predicted a global pandemic affecting every aspect of our lives. The Covid-19 pandemic forced all of us to take a hard look at the way we are operating to keep our family, friends, and coworkers safe. I’m proud of the way that your Sheriff’s Department rose to the occasion. Like all professions, we experienced staff members who contracted the virus and were forced to quarantine. We are clearly not out of the woods yet, but we have a vaccine and we all have hope for brighter days ahead.
Covid-19 has come with it’s own challenges to local law enforcement that are beyond the simplicity of contracting the virus or remaining safe.
While we try to combat drugs in Grundy County our Governor’s shutdown orders have led to a dangerous side effect of increased mental health issues and depression; subsequently leading to more drug abuse during these troubling times.
To make matters worse, last month, in purely partisan votes, far-leftist politicians in Springfield led the charge and passed the most extreme anti-police bill in the history of Illinois, HB 3653, through the Illinois House and Senate. To follow along party lines, Governor Pritzker signed the bill with little hesitation, remorse, or even input from law enforcement leaders throughout the state.
HB 3653 will most certainly undermine and “handcuff” law enforcement officers and administrators who are already dealing with a dramatic increase in violent crimes throughout the State.
Over the next several weeks I will send out emails discussing the accomplishments made in 2020 to keep you updated on what we’ve been working on and positive changes implemented in your Sheriff’s Office.
On behalf of my family and the employees of the Sheriff’s Office, we are truly appreciative of the support we receive from the Grundy County Board and from the citizens we serve.