Jennifer Banek: 2024 Candidate For Lake County Coroner

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Election Day is fast-approaching, and early voting is underway in Lake County. Here is the candidate profile for Jennifer Banek, who is running for Lake County Coroner:

Town of Residence: Green Oaks

Position Sought: Lake County Coroner

Party Affiliation: Democratic

Family/Names, ages and any pertinent detail you wish to share: My partner is Rafal Banek who also a Nurse Anesthesiologist and has served 19+ years as a service member in the Navy. I have 4 grown children, two of which are also service members in the Army Corps of Engineers.

Education: I graduated from Mundelein High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Illinois State University. I am a Registered Nurse, having completed my nursing degree at the College of Lake County, followed by a Master of Science in Nursing from DePaul University. Additionally, I trained as a Nurse Anesthesiologist at NorthShore School of Nurse Anesthesia in Evanston. Currently, I am finishing my Master of Health Administration at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., with an anticipated graduation date of May 2025.

Occupation/Please include years of experience: I became a Registered Nurse in 2005 and Nurse Anesthesiologist in 2012. On December 20, 2024, I will have 16 years of service with the United States Army Reserve.

Previous or current elected or appointed office: Cook Library Board Trustee: 2018 - 2020, resigned when elected as Lake County Coroner. Lake County Coroner: 2020 - current

Campaign website: banekforcoroner.com

The single most pressing issue facing our county is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing the Lake County Coroner’s Office is the opioid epidemic.

Our office works closely with community organizations that advocate for proven, victim-focused solutions to assist Lake County residents struggling with substance use disorder. I have prioritized timely reporting of opioid-related deaths and tracking overdose "hot spots" to support law enforcement efforts. I am also a strong supporter of Live4Lali, a substance abuse prevention organization.

While death investigations are a key part of our work, I am equally focused on preventing avoidable deaths. I frequently speak to community groups about health-related issues, including the opioid crisis. Additionally, We have developed a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to share relevant information regarding fentanyl-related deaths. This information aids HSI in providing local police agencies with essential resources and technology.

Through our shared communications and the implementation of best practices—with a continued focus on victim-centric investigations—the Coroner’s Office has directly supported state, local, and federal officials in disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking organizations that threaten Lake County communities with illicit and dangerous substances.

The Coroner’s Office has been instrumental in coordinating efforts among various investigative agencies, diligently identifying trends, investigative resources, and coordinated responses to overdose deaths in Lake County.

As a result of these efforts, we have played a crucial role in disrupting local and state drug trafficking organizations while maintaining a strong emphasis on recovery care for affected individuals.

The challenges we face in combating the opioid epidemic are significant. While we have achieved much during my first term, I feel that I have only just begun. I am grateful for the community's support and look forward to serving Lake County families for another four years.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

A major difference between myself and my opponent is my commitment to transparency with the public. I provide regular reports to the County Board to highlight trends in deaths, enabling policymakers to take action to enhance safety in our county. The role of the Coroner also requires the timely release of crucial information to the media once next of kin have been notified.

I don’t believe my opponent shares my approach to keeping the community informed. For example, when the nonpartisan League of Women Voters invited us to speak at a public forum, my opponent declined to participate. This suggests a lack of understanding about the importance of collaborating with various stakeholders, including families, county officials, and the media.

Openness and transparency are essential for good government. I firmly believe that "sunshine is the best disinfectant" when it comes to public service.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

When I took office, I immediately recognized the importance of transparency and began submitting monthly reports to the Lake County Board.

I successfully integrated the Lake County Coroner's case reporting log with Gift of Hope (GOH), streamlining the process and increasing GOH referrals by over 2,400%. This enhancement led to 24 donors benefiting 600 GOH recipients. By identifying $150,000 in unnecessary spending, I reallocated funds through zero-cost solutions and transferred redundant resources to areas where they could be more effectively used.

I established a monthly accountability feedback system for deputies' case closures, resulting in improved statistical accuracy for preventable deaths and reduced waiting times for families to receive permanent death certificates.

I created a publicly accessible coroner’s dashboard that provides real-time updates on homicides, overdoses, and suicides.

By networking and forming partnerships with community resources, such as Missing Pieces of Lurie Children's Hospital, I was able to offer meaningful support to local families.

If you gain this position, what accomplishment would define your term in office as a success?*

"My job is to put myself out of a job."

As the coroner, while my office's mission is to conduct death investigations, my vision is to create a safer community with fewer preventable deaths. Through education and the implementation of effective legislation and policies, we aim to reduce the numbers of overdose fatalities, homicides, firearm-related deaths, suicides, infant deaths due to co-sleeping, motor vehicle accidents, and more. If we can achieve these reductions, my term in office will have some measured success.

Why are you running for office?

The mission of the coroner's office is to conduct efficient and thorough death investigations, particularly focusing on preventable deaths. While it operates as an extension of law enforcement, it is equally crucial to our public health system. The office must collaborate with community policymakers, including county board members, the health department, local municipalities, and legislators, to ensure appropriate resource allocation. This includes funding for harm reduction, mental health services, and improved pedestrian and bicycle pathways. I am motivated to run for this office to use the stories of those who have passed to benefit and support the living members of our community.

Explain your attitudes toward fiscal policy, government spending and how taxpayer dollars should be handled by your office?

Since taking office in 2020, I have successfully reduced annual staff overtime expenditures from approximately $65,000 to under $1,000 through more diligent management and oversight of staffing. Additionally, we have transitioned large budgetary line items from being paid for with property taxes to being internally covered by fees collected statutorily from within the office. My office has adopted a fiscally conservative approach, prioritizing prudent budget management and efficiency.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a proud member of the United States Army Reserve, serving in the rank of Major with the 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion in Green Bay, WI. For three years, I have served on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, representing 60,000 Nurse Anesthesiologists across the country. In my free time, I enjoy running, hiking, and traveling.