This Week's Program was . .
November 19, 2024
Today our speaker was Frank Leonbruno, Sheriff of Lake County. Frank brought with him pictures of the new jail. They will be breaking ground on Friday, November 22nd to begin the building. It will take about 2 and half years to complete. They are hoping for a move in date of May 2027. The planning and creating has been going on for about 2 years now as well. They are building the new jail directly across the street from the old jail.
Frank said many ask why does Lake County need a new jail. Among the many reasons, the old jail he said is rotting from the inside-out. When it was built in the early 90's it seemed like the perfect jail, later they found that it was poorly built, it is not ADA compliant. To update and bring the building to code would cost almost as much as building a new one. In the 30 years that the jail has been in use they have had to replace the roof 3 times and many, many other costly repairs. This jail was built to house about 350 inmates. Because that space was not needed they were able to rent out bed space and collect rent from communities that were utilizing that space but in about 2013 there was no extra space, all beds were needed for Lake County inmates. By 2018, there were about 385 inmates, double bunked to make room for all. Frank also stated that about 47% of felons who commit crimes in Lake County live outside of Lake County.
The decision was made to start planning the building of a new jail. In the photo album named Lake County Sheriff, you can look at the pictures of the new jail. One picture shows the new jail directly across from the old jail, one shows the front of the building and one shows the back of the building. Frank said this new jail will be able to house 504 inmates with room to expand. But they can employ the same number of people to keep it running as they have today. The planners said that they will be able to pay for the new building and running it for a minimum of 5 years with the extra monies they will have. That means no new taxes! The new jail will help them with their goal of making the inmates better people on their release and so that they do not become repeat offenders. It will have all the mental health, health, and re-introduction services that will allow them to return to society and be better people.
Frank Leonbruno, Sheriff of Lake County standing in front of the pictures of new jail, set to open in 2027. 
Rendering of the front of the new jail on East Erie Street, directly across from the previous jail.
Rendering of the back of the new jail.There will be no meeting on November 26, 2024. Our next meeting is December 3, in the barn at that Lake County History Center. The Decibells, a hand bell ensemble from Lake County will be performing for our enjoyment.
