DRUG PROSECUTORS HONORED

JOLIET -- Assistant State's Attorney Michael Knick, a member of the
Drug Prosecution Unit, and administrative assistant, Kathy Kearney,
the secretary supervisor for the unit, were recognized by the
Illinois Metropolitan Enforcement Group Directors' and Task Force
Commanders' Association, Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow
announced.

Knick and Kearney were honored for their work in processing 858
narcotics cases during 2007 and 2008. The conviction rate for these
cases was 95 percent.

"I congratulate Mike Knick and Kathy Kearney on receiving this
prestigious honor and for going above and beyond their duties to
fight the war against drugs in Will County," Glasgow said. "Mike and
Kathy, along with my entire Drug Prosecution Unit, have worked
tirelessly with the Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad (MANS) and our
local police departments over the past four years.

"The unit has seen a 50 percent increase in the number of search
warrants granted to detectives who are conducting narcotics
investigations. "

Knick is the supervisor of the Drug Prosecution Unit, which
prosecutes defendants accused of trafficking illegal narcotics. The
unit also cooperates with MANS and other law enforcement officers by
coordinating search warrants that enable undercover detectives to
infiltrate drug houses and secure evidence against drug dealers.

Knick joined the office in 1988. Since 1991, he has been assigned to
the drug unit. He was appointed supervisor in 2004.

Kearney, who has served with the unit since 2005, is its secretary
supervisor. She was recognized for her professionalism in
coordinating the fluid transition of case files between MANS and the
state's attorney's office.

Other local MANS members who were honored at the banquet were: Field
Supervisor Mark Brunzie, Field Supervisor Sean Koren and Inspectors
Tanya Paquette, Matthew Bejgrowicz, David Jackson, Jeff Purvis, and
Dwayne Weis.