Carbondale Reporter

Murphysboro, IL—The State’s Attorney’s Citizens Advisory Board, an innovative community outreach program created by Jackson County State’s Attorney Joseph A. Cervantez, will hold its first formal meeting on May 20, 2021, launching its mission of community-informed leadership and transparency within the State’s Attorney’s Office.  

The Citizens Advisory Board, originally articulated by Cervantez during his campaign for State’s Attorney, is the first of its kind in Southern Illinois. “This Board was created to provide a means for citizens to voice concerns and explore potential solutions for the issues facing Jackson County.

The Board will be tasked with providing an important point of engagement with the people who live and work in our community,” Cervantez said. “A well-established Citizens Advisory Board will allow my office to be more responsive to the needs of our diverse and ever-changing community.”

Local law enforcement, government officials, community organizations, and community leaders joined Cervantez in creating the Citizens Advisory Board. Local leaders say it will serve as a channel of communication between the community and the State’s Attorney’s Office providing recommendations, advice, and diverse perspectives from every corner of the county. 

Carbondale Police Department Chief Stan Reno explained that a Citizens Advisory Board will “help with the efforts of our department to increase transparency and to develop collaborative and trust-based relationships with the community. These types of communication opportunities, in partnership with the State’s Attorney’s Office, will help improve the safety and quality of life in Carbondale.”

Murphysboro Mayor Will Stephens agreed that the Board will serve as a conduit between the State’s Attorney’s Office and local interests. “Engaging the community in this fashion will help connect the community to the States Attorney’s Office, and lead to a better Jackson County," he said. 

While the Citizens Advisory Board is beneficial to everyone, Cervantez said that its inception is only one of the first steps in modernizing the State’s Attorney’s Office and making it accessible to local government. “The Citizens Advisory Board fills the communication gap between government and communities we serve,” said Cervantez. “Our goal is not only to address specific issues, but to find working solutions that we, and our collective experiences, can put into action. Our office is constantly looking at new programs and initiatives that are unique to Jackson County’s needs.”

The Citizens Advisory Board will consist of community representatives, faith leaders, and local officials who will meet monthly. The Board will begin with an array of community leaders from around the area, including:

Randy Auxier            Burke Cawthorne

Debbie Dunn             John Erbes

Catherine Field         Carolin Harvey

Margaret Howard      Nancy Maxwell

Nick Smaligo             Janice Witzman

For more information on the Citizens Advisory Board, please feel free to visit our website at jacksoncountystatesattorney.com