LaSalle County’s Law and Justice Committee voted on Dec. 23 to approve minutes, written reports and department bills for several offices and received an update from the State's Attorney's Office on recent convictions.

Committee members approved the previous meeting’s minutes and a series of written reports and bills covering the public defender, state's attorney, circuit clerk, judiciary and detention home. Approvals were taken by voice vote; on multiple items a committee member, Gary, registered opposition when asked for objections. The committee did not identify any amendments to those reports during the meeting.

A representative of the State's Attorney's Office, Jeremiah, briefed the committee on recent case outcomes. "We got 3 murder convictions and in a span of 10 days on 4 different cases," he said, and described the sentences as lengthy prison terms for people who "are now gonna spend the bulk of their life in prison." Jeremiah also said several COVID‑fraud indictments are starting to reach resolution and that investigations in fraud matters continue.

Detention home staff reported a small average daily population (five) and presented a monthly fiscal report showing total bills of $4,151.67 and itemized income including an Securus phone system and State Board of Education support. Probation and juvenile services staff gave routine statistical updates and said hiring has nearly filled open positions; probation reported an active juvenile caseload of 95 and adult active caseload of 491.

On jury administration, Tricia said the county summoned 1,284 people in December (with 551 reminders) and brought in 141 jurors; she said 73 were recorded as failures to appear and attributed many to weather and seasonal residents ('snowbirds'). Tricia said the office has requested an updated list from the AOIC and will reschedule jurors who notify the court.

The meeting concluded after routine business and a motion to adjourn.