Lake County’s jail was recently re-accredited by a national organization that recognized its overall professional operations and programming designed to prevent recidivism.
The Sheriff’s Office, which operates the jail, was recently informed that the American Correctional Association gave the facility high marks during its recent inspection. The re-accreditation marks the sixth consecutive time the jail has received the ACA’s seal of approval.
“Working in a correctional facility is demanding and often goes unseen by the public,” Sheriff John Idleburg said. “Our correctional officers and professional staff perform this critical work with integrity, compassion, and professionalism, ensuring the safety and security of everyone inside our facility while treating those in our custody with dignity and respect.”
ACA inspectors spent three days at the jail in June, auditing a variety of standards for things like security, staff training, programming and facility management.
The sheriff said the jail places strong emphasis on inmate programs designed to reduce re-offending.
“Corrections today is about much more than securely operating a jail,” Idleburg said. “Our staff are committed to providing meaningful opportunities that help individuals make positive changes while in custody.
“The success of our programming, combined with our commitment to nationally recognized best practices, strengthens public safety both inside our facility and throughout Lake County,” he said.
New boat
Lake Michigan boaters and swimmers will be better protected along the northern Illinois shoreline thanks to a new emergency boat recently acquired by the Zion Fire-Rescue Department.
The department took possession this month of the Ocean Craft Responder boat, and it has already been put to use in response to a water emergency, the department said in a social media post.
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State Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, helped arrange a $500,000 budget appropriation to pay for the boat. Winthrop Harbor authorities will help provide some maintenance and operational responsibilities, and the Northpoint Marina donated a slip so the boat can be quickly launched in the event of an emergency.
“Water emergencies are tough on first responders and emergency divers, and need specialized equipment that can handle the lake when conditions are rough – which is often,” Zion officials said.
Victim identified
Authorities have identified the man killed in a recent Fox Lake motorcycle accident. Kyler Varno, 34, of Union Grove, died from injuries in the Aug. 9 crash.
According to the Lake County Coroner’s Office, Varno was critically injured at around 2:55 a.m. when he crashed his motorcycle into a building at the intersection of Grave Avenue and Keystone Avenue. He was brought to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, where he died later that day.
Deputy dies
A South Carolina sheriff’s deputy who grew up in Lake County has died in a water training accident, according to her department.
Jillian Olson, 29, died July 30 while training in a local lake. Olson was a master deputy with the Lexington County, S.C. sheriff’s office, where she had worked since 2021. She was raised in Northbrook and Buffalo Grove. Her father had previously served as an auxiliary deputy for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
“Our hearts are broken by the loss of a valuable member of the Sheriff’s Department,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “Jillian exemplified commitment and service. She faithfully carried out her duties and selflessly worked to make those around her better.”
“This one hits close to home,” The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post.
Olson was a graduate of Western Illinois University. Local authorities are continuing to investigate her death.