Effingham Daily News, Effingham, IL

Local News

June 26, 2009

District 12 meets new state police director

Most Illinois State Police District 12 personnel turned out Wednesday to welcome Jonathan Monken, the recently appointed director of Illinois State Police.

Monken mingled through the crowd of uniformed officers and other personnel striking up interest and lively conversation among those present.

Following his appointment by Gov. Pat Quinn, Monken is taking it upon himself to visit all 21 state police district’s throughout the state.

For the 29-year-old Monken who has never worked in law enforcement, he feels the visits are an opportunity to meet all the people within the Illinois State Police.

According to Monken, he is not overly political and feels he will bring fresh perspective to the job.

Monken is a West Point graduate with two tours of duty in Iraq and one in Kosovo. Following his service, he worked as a recruiter for the Illinois National Guard.

“I didn’t come from a political background,” said Monken. “I do feel like my combat experience has provided me with the leadership skills needed for this job.”

According to Monken, fielding questions from District 12 officers on concerns ranging from a lack of squad car quality, possibility of tasers being implemented for use by troopers and the general state of the budget helped him keep troopers’ interests as a priority.

“I’ll being taking a trip like this every week until I visit all 21 districts,” said Monken. “It will probably take me until the end of the year.”

District 12 Lt. Rick Britton saw many positive attributes in the visit.

“It was a great opportunity for our troopers to meet the director,” said Britton. “Some of the younger guys have never met a director.”

Having outlined District 12’s tactical plan and goals for the upcoming fiscal year, Britton feels Monken knows there are many things the district hopes to achieve.

“I’m glad to see the director is taking a hands-on approach,” said Britton.

Several awards also were given to local officers. Trooper Stephen Knebel and Fayette County Deputy Shawn Carter were both given a Certificate of Recognition for their parts in apprehending a bank robbery suspect in St. Peter. The individual was chased from the scene and finally stopped on Interstate 70 near St. Elmo.

Carter and Knebel both spoke with the suspect getting him to surrender without hurting himself or turning his gun on officers.

“Its an odd thing to say you have to point a gun at someone to save them, but that is what we had to do,” said Carter. “These troopers are very good at what they do, but the local guys are, too.”

According to Carter, it is an honor to be recognized by the Illinois State Police director, but awards and a paycheck are only perks for being able to work in a profession he loves.

Another certificate of recognition was given to Trooper Robert Kruse for his investigation into a fatality involving several commercial vehicles and the death of a 16-year-old girl in Clark County in July 2006. Kruse’s investigation found the truck driver involved in the accident had exceeded his allotted driving hours and had obtained an Indiana driver’s license after a lifetime suspension. The investigation led to a 20-year conviction for driver.

As for Monken, he plans to make a direct impact regarding the needs of troopers throughout the state.

“There were a lot of questions about squad cars because that is a dire need right now,” said Monken. “Hopefully, we will be getting those soon.”

Tony Huffman can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 135 or tony.huffman@effinghamdailynews.com

Text Only
District 12 meets new state police director
by Tony Huffman , , Fri Jun 26, 2009, 10:12 AM CDT
Local News
  • ELC A dream come true

    The Early Learning Center in Effingham has two new additions to its playground this year, and it’s not shiny new slides or colorful jungle gyms.

    September 2, 2010 2 Photos

  • T-town village donates to school programs

    Teutopolis hasn’t had a Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program for more than a decade, but the village still had a fund for donations that had been made to the program.

    September 2, 2010

  • Liquor Alcohol sales stir up extra revenue

    Since voters allowed liquor sales in Farina earlier this year, village officials and store owners have noticed a change — and it’s positive.

    September 1, 2010 1 Photo

  • Schmitt Investigation Police release 'person of interest' sketch in Schmitt murder investigation

    Effingham police released a sketch Tuesday of a "person of interest" in the June murder of Effingham resident Jack Schmitt.

    August 31, 2010 1 Photo

  • Elderly couple escapes burning house thanks to neighbor

    An elderly Shumway couple was able to escape a house fire unharmed Sunday night thanks to a neighbor who alerted the fire department and came to the aid of the husband and wife.

    August 31, 2010

  • Worton Giving Back

    In many ways, Autumn Worton is like many other 21-year-old women.

    August 30, 2010 1 Photo

  • Myers Making a Difference

    Mack Myers of Kinmundy has lived with a hereditary neurological disorder his entire life, and he credits the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) for helping him cope with the disorder that’s affected him since 1947.

    August 30, 2010 1 Photo

  • Unemployment Area unemployment inches higher

    Unemployment rates increased in nearly every area county last month, according to monthly statistics released this week by the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

    August 30, 2010 1 Photo

  • Bridge Local historians want to preserve, relocate bowstring bridge

    The old Flensburg bridge is a rare glimpse into days gone by, though the modern-day resident has to use some imagination to see the bridge’s historical significance.

    August 30, 2010 1 Photo

  • Drug checkpoint Drug checkpoint questionable

    Motorists traveling southbound on Interstate 57 near Kinmundy Tuesday morning drove through a drug interdiction checkpoint — the first-ever in Marion County — even though the U.S. Supreme Court has taken a dim view of similar efforts.

    August 27, 2010 1 Photo

AP Video
Biz Marquee
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com