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Sheriff reports steady staffing, new corrections hire and flags asbestos‑tiled courthouse basement floor
Summary
Sheriff reported progress on dispatch communication issues, a new corrections hire, upcoming testing for deputy applicants and that some courthouse basement and jail floor asbestos tiles are popping up; he said an abatement contractor will provide an estimate.
The sheriff gave departmental updates at the Iroquois County meeting, reporting improvements in radio communications, recent hires and facility maintenance concerns.
Sheriff’s staff said deputies have accepted Verizon phones for patrol and that StarCom radio issues are being worked with Motorola; deputies reported improved communications otherwise. The sheriff reported a jail DOC inspection noted deficiencies and accommodations and that staffing in the corrections division is currently filled after hiring Daniel Whitelog for an open corrections position.
The department is accepting applications for deputy sheriff through June 19; physical agility testing was scheduled to begin June 1 with a written test to follow. The sheriff said John Johnson will retire June 5 after 27 years of service.
On facilities, the sheriff said tiles in the courthouse basement and in some jail areas are starting to pop loose. “So those are asbestos tiles. That’s something that, in time, we’ll need to be addressed,” he said. He reported talking with Bill Robinson, a licensed asbestos abator, who agreed to provide an estimate of square footage and cost and to advise on replacement options such as epoxy flooring or other coverings. The sheriff said cell block flooring is concrete and could be painted but the separated tiles in the basement and some jail areas will need further evaluation.
No formal action was taken at the meeting on the flooring item; the sheriff asked that the flooring estimate be added to the capital improvement list for future budgeting and that staff receive quotes for abatement and replacement.
