Blagojevich awards four Illinois Department of Corrections front line employees with the Correctional Officer of the Year Award

 

Correctional Officer Mac-Shane Frank of Pinckneyville Correctional Center joined IDOC in 1998.  Frank is a diversified employee, serving as a movement, tower, escort, infirmary, pod, gym, wing, inner and outer patrol and armory officer.  He demonstrates a high level of initiative, is judicious in carrying out assignments and constantly displays excellent intuitive judgment.  Frank has gained respect with all ranks in the department through his knowledge, leadership, attitude, communications skills and initiative.  As a TACT team member and TACT squad leader, he displays a strong personal commitment to achieve positive results in emergency situations.  Frank earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and administration of justice from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.  He was named recipient of the 2002 Robert C. Radtke Leadership Award from the Psychology Department of SIU-C and was granted lifetime membership in Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology.

 

Youth Supervisor III Anthony McGlothian of Illinois Youth Center - Joliet began his career with IDOC in 1993.  McGlothian represents the center as an institutional screener for IDOC's various testing sites.  He assists in the hiring process of applicants once the Application Information List has been released from the Central Screening Unit.  When new hires arrive at the facility, he ensures they are processed in a timely manner and provides them the information needed to begin their new careers.  He also represents the center at various job fairs.  McGlothain volunteers to work overtime past his shift and also works on his days off when needed on short notice.  He exhibits the attitude and professional demeanor that the department requires of security personal.  This attitude and demeanor is what he lives by in his everyday life.

 

Youth Supervisor II Jeffery Taylor of Illinois Youth Center - Warrenville started his career at IDOC in 1999.  Taylor has worked numerous security posts and shifts.  His professionalism, firmness and sense of duty make him a respected voice in the everyday lives of the female offenders at IYC - Warrenville.  Taylor serves as a cycle training instructor as well as a chemical agent instructor for the institution.  He also serves on the Correctional Officer Screening team for new officer candidates.  Taylor demonstrates an ability to accomplish goals with minimum supervision.  He sets the standards to go to the next hurtle of his career.

 

Correctional Residence Counselor I Ernestine Hemmitt of Jessie "Ma" Houston Adult Transition Center joined IDOC in 1987 as a correctional officer at Joliet Correctional Center.  She became a CRCI in 2001.  She currently serves as a vehicle/accident and room assignment coordinator at the center.  She was named Employee of the Quarter for October - December 2003.   Hemmitt exemplifies true professionalism.  She accepts and completes assignments on target with a positive attitude.  She is very flexible and is committed to teamwork. 

 

Facility nominees include Big Muddy River Correctional Center - C.O. Gregory Scott; Centralia Correctional Center - Sgt. Curt Rueter; Danville Correctional Center - C.O. Matthew Morgeson; Decatur Correctional Center -Sgt. Lee Koeing; Dixon Correctional Center - C.O. John Looney;