Sheriff's Merit Commission

Public comments for remote meetings will be accepted by email and phone call only. Public comments received by the start time of each meeting will be read at the beginning of the meeting under Public Comment. Any comments received during the meeting will be held until the end of the meeting. Public comment is limited to three minutes per person. Public comments should be emailed to: MeritCo[email protected] and contain the following information:

· Name
· Street Address (Optional)
· City
· State
· Phone (Optional)
· Organization, agency, etc. being represented. (If representing yourself, put "Self")
· Topic or Agenda Item Number followed by Public Comment

Individuals with no access to email may submit a public comment by leaving a message with the Merit Commissions Office at 847-377-4075.

Meetings

  • 1:30 p.m.
  • The 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month  
  • EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2023, MERIT COMMISSION MEETINGS WILL BE HELD THE FIRST AND THIRD MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH
  • Lake County Building: 18 N. County Street  Waukegan, IL 60085
  • 10th floor, room to be determined

Members

The Lake County Sheriff, with approval from the County Board, appoints members of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Merit Commission to serve two (2) years or until their term of office as a member of the Commission shall expire, whichever period is shorter:

   

  • Carmen Patlan, Chair
  • Richard H. Eckenstahler, Vice-Chair
  • Jeffrey A. Burke, Treasurer
  • Allison "AJ" Johnson, Secretary
  • Alejandra Gonzalez, Executive Assistant

History

On September 14, 1965, the Lake County Board enacted an ordinance creating the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Merit Commission. The Merit Commission is a quasi-judicial administrative agency. It operates independently of both the Sheriff and the County Board, administering a system along recognized principles of public employment, promotion, and discipline, as prescribed by state statute and county ordinance.

What We Do

  • The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Merit Commission is charged with the screening of all applicants seeking appointment to the office of Deputy Sheriff
  • Administer written examinations for promotion within the Department
  • Conduct hearings on disciplinary charges brought before the Commission
  • Other administrative duties

Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Merit Commission to provide professional, high quality, and effective personnel to the Sheriff’s Office. We, the members of the Commission, believe that our work has a vital impact on the quality of life in our community. By recognizing the changing and diverse needs of the community, the Commission promotes and encourages a policy of professional individual excellence. We support an organizational climate of mutual trust and respect.

 
 The Merit Commission follows the Illinois State Police POWER (physical agility) test guidelines


Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.