The annual tradition of honoring those who work for victims’ rights continued Monday when the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office presented awards during a resource fair and appreciation event at College of Lake County in Grayslake.
The Ruth Rosengarden Award, named for the late champion of victims’ rights who was one of the State’s Attorney’s Office’s first victim counselors, was given to Lake County Circuit Court Chief Judge John Phillips.
The annual award is given to a person or organization in the field of victim services whose efforts “demonstrate compassion, commitment and sensitivity” to crime victims and their relatives.
State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim said Phillips has developed a “tough but fair” reputation during his career as a judge, and has initiated projects to help victims, including specialty courts such as drug court, mental health court and veterans court.
“He makes sure victims are heard when they come into the criminal justice system,” Nerheim said.
Deputy Police Chief Kevin Finlon of the Lake Zurich Police Department was honored with the Law Enforcement Award, for demonstrating outstanding “respect, care and compassion for victims of crimes and their families.”
Nerheim said that Finlon, in addition to participating on victim panels, is heavily involved with officer training and ensures that police realize that a victim’s first encounter with law enforcement “can have a profound effect.”
The Justice Award was given to Courtney Alexander of the 19th Judicial Circuit Court’s Juvenile Services. The award recognizes efforts to further and improve services for victims in Lake County.
Alexander is known throughout the courthouse as going “above and beyond” when working with victims, including spending hours on the phone counseling them, Nerheim said.
Finally, the Community Spirit Award was presented to the Mundelein High School Theater Department and Theater Director Jonathon Meier for “the unique way in which vital information was presented to the Lake County Community” by the school’s production of the play “Trust,” which was written by “Friends” star and Northwestern alum David Schwimmer, and addresses the subject of online predators.
“It’s not your average high school play,” Nerheim said, adding that the school and actors showed a lot of courage and hopefully provided information that can help students from becoming victims.
Prior to the award ceremony, which coincided with National Victims’ Rights Week, social service agencies were on hand to offer their services and benefits to the public.
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