Joe Judge Part Of Edgar Fellows Program 12th class

Forty-one leaders from across Illinois to meet in Champaign, August 4 through 8

URBANA, IL — In a highly competitive process, forty-one public policy leaders from across Illinois have been selected for the 2024 class of the Edgar Fellows Program. The group will meet for the first time at their Executive Leadership Training Program held August 4 through 8 on the University of Illinois (UI) campus in Urbana-Champaign.

Established in 2012, the Edgar Fellows Program is a leadership initiative designed by former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar to inspire respectful collaboration in addressing the state's major challenges. The Fellows selected for the class of 2024 reflect Illinois’ political, racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity. They include elected and appointed officials from all levels of government; leaders of non-profit and labor organizations; and individuals who are influencing public policy in the business world.  

“Each year, the Edgar Fellows Program brings together a group of leaders with different backgrounds and different politics from across Illinois,” Gov. Edgar said. “Though they each have their own unique life experiences, they find out that they have more in common than they have that separates them.

 “With each class, it has been gratifying to watch people who were strangers on Sunday become good friends by Thursday. It’s what the Edgar Fellows program is all about, finding common ground and respect, so that our Fellows can work together to help shape a better Illinois.”

During their time in Champaign, the new Fellows will engage with experienced public policy practitioners who are experts in issues that include artificial intelligence, the SAFE-T Act, workforce development, climate change, philanthropies, Medicaid, and the state budget. More importantly, they will learn from each other and begin building relationships that will last throughout their careers.

The 2024 class will bring the number of Fellows who are part of the program to nearly 500. After completing the initial training seminar, Fellows continue to meet at alumni gatherings designed to increase their knowledge and help build their professional networks. The next time they will have this opportunity to gather is at the program’s annual fundraiser in Chicago on September 12 at the Hyatt Regency. This event is open to the general public. More information about the dinner, including how to sponsor the event or purchase individual tickets can be found at www.edgarfellows.org.

Donors to the Edgar Fellows Program include individuals, corporations, foundations, labor organizations, and others who are interested in promoting competent, ethical and solution-oriented leadership in Illinois. An advisory board led by Chair Emeritus Alexander Lerner, the Chief Executive Officer of the Illinois State Medical Society, and Chair, Allen Grosboll, former senior policy advisor to Governor Edgar, helps to guide the program. Other board members are Fellows and long-time supporters of the program who, between them, have decades of experience in Illinois public policy.

Administered and funded through the efforts of the Edgar Fellows 501(c)(3) non-profit, the Edgar Fellows Program is housed at the U of I System’s Institute of Government and Public Affairs in Urbana.  

The Edgar Fellows Class of 2024 is listed below. Photos are available upon request.

Liandro Arellano, Jr., Dixon, Candidate for Senate, District 37 

Kevin Artl, Naperville, President and CEO of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois

Chris Balkema, Channahon, Candidate for Senate, District 53

Yasmeen Bankole, Hanover Park, Trustee of the Village of Hanover Park and Regional Director for U.S. Senator Dick Durbin

Precious Brady-Davis, Chicago, Commissioner, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and Chief Strategy Officer at The Center on Halsted

Representative Jason Bunting, Emington

Sydney Corryn Holman, Chicago, Deputy Mayor for Intergovernmental Affairs, City of Chicago

Ryan Croke, Springfield, First Assistant Deputy Governor for health and human services

Christopher Curtis, Mayor of Kankakee

Regan Deering, Decatur, Candidate for State Representative, District 88

Yaacov Delaney, Chicago, Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Justice Equity & Opportunity Initiative for Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton

James Dillon, Peoria, Peoria County Board Chair and Associate Director of the West Central Building and Construction Trades Council

Isabel Dobbel, Chicago, Political Director for the Chicago Federation of Labor

Representative Laura Faver Dias, Grayslake

Kari Galassi, Hinsdale, DuPage County Board Member

Graciela Guzman, Chicago, candidate for Senate, District 20

Chynna Hampton, Chatham, Equity Director for Climate Jobs Illinois at the Illinois AFL-CIO

Carolin Harvey, Mayor of Carbondale

Jared M. Hawkinson, Knoxville, Knox County Board Chair and Knoxville Police Officer

Latoya Hughes, South Holland, Acting Director, Illinois Department of Corrections

Representative Hoan Huynh, Chicago

Representative Lilian Jimenez, Chicago

Elizabeth Johnston, Normal, McLean County Board Vice Chair and Owner of Johnston Financial Services

Joseph Judge, Mayor of Mt. Carmel

Jennifer Konen, Village President of Sugar Grove

Representative Nicole La Ha, Homer Glen

Eric Lind, Mayor of Eureka

Senator Meg Loughran Cappel, Shorewood

Chase McCall, Gibson City, Ford County Board Member and Government Affairs Coordinator at State Farm

David McEllis, Chicago, Illinois Legislative Director at the Environmental Law and Policy Center of the Midwest

SJ Morrison, Edwardsville, Alderman in Ward 4, Executive Director of the Agency for Community Transit and Managing Director of the Madison County Transit

Representative Kevin Olickal, Skokie

Jordan Powell, Rochester, Senior Vice President of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association

Gerson Ramirez, Chicago, Senior Government Relations Associate at Advance Illinois

Julia Ramirez, Chicago, Alderman, 12th Ward

Erendira Rendon, Chicago, Vice President of The Resurrection Project

Cassaundra Rouse, Flossmoor, Executive Director of the Illinois Tollway

Carolyn Schofield, Crystal Lake, Legislative Assistant to Senator Don DeWitte, former Lt. Governor Candidate and former McHenry County Board Vice Chair

Patrick Schweska, Chicago, Manager of Public Policy for the Midwest Region at Amazon Web Services

Benjamin Taylor, Chicago, Vice President, Public Engagement for the Central Midwest Region at JPMorgan Chase

Representative Travis Weaver, Edwards

 

 

Owensville man arrested for battery that involved serious bodily injury

On July 19, 2024, at 8 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a battery that had occurred overnight in the 400 block of West Brummitt Street in Owensville.  Deputies Chad Craney and U.B. Smith were dispatched to the residence, and upon arriving on scene they began an investigation into the incident.  After collecting evidence and speaking with everyone involved Deputy Craney placed 43 year old Juan Ramirez of Owensville into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail.  Upon arriving at the jail Mr. Ramirez was charged with Domestic Battery with Serious Bodily Injury. 

 All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

911 report of brawl at liquor store nets arrest of three

On July 20, 2024, at 5:12 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a fight between three subjects in the parking lot of L&L Liquors located at 905 E Vine Street in Fort Branch.  Upon dispatching multiple officers to the scene Communications Officer Tiahanna Berry and Corrections Officer Kaden Tepe fielded additional 911 calls about the incident as well as gather descriptions of the participants for officers who were enroute.  Upon arriving Deputy Quinten Might observed two males and a female with visible injuries and blood on themselves.  Deputy Might began an investigation into the incident speaking separately with all three participants while other officers secured the scene.  At the conclusion of the investigation Deputy Might placed all three subjects into custody and they were transported to the Gibson County Jail. 
 
33 year old Paul Hartline of Evansville was charged with Battery/ Moderate Bodily Injury and Public Intoxication.
 
34 year old Donyell Robling of Fort Branch was charged with Battery/ Moderate Bodily Injury and Public Intoxication.
 
43 year old Joshua Keller of Fort Branch was charged with Battery/ Moderate Bodily Injury.
 
Assisting Deputy Might in his investigation were Deputies Michael Owens, Michael Bates, and Shawn Holmes.  Also assisting in the investigation was Haubstadt Officer Bryan Munnier.
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Princeton man arrested for disorderly conduct

On July 20, 2024, at 10:31 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Chad Craney observed a disturbance between two subjects along the roadside in the 1400 block of West Brumfield.  Deputy Craney pulled over and made contact with one of the parties and began a roadside investigation into the incident.  Upon speaking to the subject Deputy Craney identified the male as 20 year old Daymean Punch of Princeton.  Mr. Punch advised Deputy Craney that his keys had fell out of his pocket at a local gas station and that is what started the verbal argument.  While speaking with Mr. Punch he displayed a hostile demeanor, speaking loudly and caused a disturbance that drew considerable attention from others to the area.  Princeton Officer Bryce Jutzi had located Mr. Punch’s keys and brought them to the scene.  Upon receiving his keys he stepped into oncoming traffic causing two vehicles to slam on their brakes.  During this time Mr. Punch dropped his keys again.  An officer pointed out that Mr. Punch had dropped his keys and he then walked to his residence and continued the disturbance with the initial party.  Again officers separated the subjects placing Mr. Punch into custody and transporting him to the Gibson County Jail.  Mr. Punch was charged with Disorderly Conduct and Obstruction of Traffic.   

 Assisting officers were Deputy U.B. Smith and Princeton Officer Bryce Jutzi and Jason Swan. 

 All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

 

Princeton man arrested for resisting law enforcement

On July 17, 2024, at 7:38 p.m. multiple law enforcement officers went to the 500 block of North West Street in Fort Branch to serve a Felony arrest warrant on Taylor Slaton.  Upon arriving on scene a search of the property was conducted where Mr. Slaton was located in the back yard inside a child’s playset.  Mr. Slaton did not comply with law enforcement’s directions and was taken into custody.  Once in custody he was transported to the Deaconess Gibson Emergency Room where he was medically cleared before being taken to the Gibson County Jail. 

 Upon arriving at the Jail Mr. Slaton was charged with a new charge of Resisting Law Enforcement as well as the Felony Arrest warrant from a previous investigation.

 The arresting officer was Deputy Michael Owens, and he was assisted by Deputies Quinten Might and Shawn Holmes.  Also assisting were Louis Jerrell and Darrell Parker of Fort Branch, Matthew Perry, Bryce Jutzi,and David Jones of the Princeton Police Department, and Bryan Munnier of the Haubstadt Police Department.   

 All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

PROJECT UPDATE: Lane closures planned for U.S. 41 in Gibson County

GIBSON COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane closures for U.S. 41 in Gibson County.

Beginning on or around Monday, July 22, crews will begin alternating lane closures on U.S. 41 in Gibson County near Princeton. These closures will occur at the intersection of County Road 100 W and run to County Road 350 S.

Alternating lane closures are for the construction of a reduced conflict intersection at U.S. 41 and County Road 100 W. Restrictions will also be present on County Road 100 W.

Work is expected to last through mid-September, depending on the weather. INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews.

Allegedly Choking His Aunt Lands Mt. Carmel Man In Jail

On 7/17/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Steven Brian Foote, age 47, of Mt. Carmel for Aggravated Domestic Battery following a domestic dispute in the 1100 block of Landes Street.  Police were called to the scene to a report that Foote had choked his aunt while she was visiting his mother, who also resides at the home.  The victim alleged that Foote entered the living room after being asleep and became upset with a comment the aunt made.  It was alleged that Foote wrapped his arm around the victim's neck in a choke hold after coming up behind her, while she was seated in a chair.  Foote released the victim once his mother became upset.  The victim was able to exit the home and await police.  Foote was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending a pre-trial detention determination by the court.  MCPD was assisted by the Wabash County Sheriff's Office.