OPENING SESSION
Welcome/ILEAS Update
Executive Director Larry Evans
Contemporary Issues in Less Lethal Force
Steve Ijames
Time: 9:00 am-12:00 pm (Chancellor Ballroom)
Executive Director Larry Evans will talk about what ILEAS has done over the last 12 months and what we’re working on in 2024. 2023 was a busy year with preparations for the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and the acquisition of a $19 million dollar Less Lethal grant awarded to ILEAS in October.
Following the ILEAS Update, one of the country's leading experts in use of force - Steve Ijames - will discuss topics such as case law, de-escalation and non-escalation, common problem areas, mental health considerations, and training.
Steve Ijames retired in June 2007 as a major with the Springfield, MO Police Department after 29 years of service. He then served as chief of police in two other departments. Steve continues to serve as a class A licensed peace officer in Missouri today. He formed his agency’s full time tactical unit in 1989, and worked his way through the structure from team leader to special operations commander. Steve was an original member of the National Tactical Officers Association’s (NTOA) Board of Directors, and the course developer/lead instructor for the NTOA and IACP less lethal “train the trainer” programs, addressing impact projectiles, chemical agents and noise flash diversionary devices. He has provided training across the United States and in 31 foreign countries, and frequently provides litigation consultation when the use of such tools are called into question. Ijames has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, a master’s degree in public administration, and is a graduate of the 186th FBI National Academy.
BREAKOUT SESSION
New Law Enforcement Leadership Introduction to ILEAS
Jim Episcopo & Chris Tanner
Time: 1:30 pm-2:30 pm (Chancellor Ballroom)
During this session you will learn that our goal is to assist YOU and your Organization find the resources you need to get through an incident that has temporarily overwhelmed your Agency. Or perhaps you’re planning for a Special Event? Whether it’s personnel, special teams, or specialized equipment, someone from a member agency is on our call list to help with what you need. ILEAS works because of our motto – “Strength Through Cooperation”. We’ll show you how that works, and share some feedback from Chiefs and Sheriffs across the State who have benefited from the ILEAS Mutual Aid Model.
Jim Episcopo served the Brookfield Police Department for 33 years, where he retired in 2019 as Chief of Police. He served in a variety of specialized assignments, including eight years with the NIPAS EST and Mobile Field Force teams. After retiring, Jim joined ILEAS as a Regional Planning Coordinator for Region 4 through 2021, and is currently working with agencies in Region 6. Jim is a graduate of the FBINA and the Southern Police Institute.
Chris Tanner is the Region 9 Planning Coordinator, assisting agencies with ILEAS programs and grant opportunities as well as coordinating resources in times of need. His 36 years of law enforcement experience includes 29 years with the Salem Police Department where he retired as a shift commander. Chris previously served in the communities of Macomb, Vandalia and Flora. He is a graduate of Western Illinois University and Olney College. Throughout his career Chris emphasized training, teaching for Olney Central College, Frontier Community College and Mobile Team Unit 15.
BREAKOUT SESSION
Trends in Communications
Bill Springer & Russ Gentry
Time: 3:30 pm-4:30 pm (Chancellor Ballroom)
The session will focus on new and evolving Communications technologies. This high-level presentation will inform Command and Management level personnel about topics that could affect them in the near future.
Bill Springer is an ILEAS Interoperable Communications Liaison. His role focuses primarily on planning efforts in technology for all types of interoperable communications in Illinois. Bill has 40 years of experience in public safety communications systems including Starcom21 trunked radio and IT networks. He is a FEMA recognized Communications Unit Leader (COML), and Communications Technician (COMT) Instructor, and has taught communications classes across the U.S.
Russ Gentry has been with ILEAS for 13 years and is an Interoperable Communications Liaison representing ILEAS on statewide communication committees. Russ and the ILEAS Communications team work closely with the Illinois SWIC on all things related to interoperable communications. His job includes supporting ILEAS Special Teams with communications needs and training, as well as supporting and coordinating the Illinois Strategic Technology Reserve (STR) with grant funded communications equipment and training. Russ retired as a Captain from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office after 30 years of service.
BANQUET & COMEDY SHOW
Greg Warren
Time: 6:00 pm-8:00 pm (Illinois Ballroom)
Following dinner at 6:00 pm, join us for an hour of laughs with comedian Greg Warren! Greg hails from St. Louis, MO, where his father was a high school wrestling coach and his mother made him play clarinet in the band. He has captivated audiences with anecdotes about the conflict inherent in meshing the two disparate high school identities of varsity wrestler and band geek. Greg was also a West Point Cadet, where he distinguished himself by amassing an impressive tally of demerits and endless hours of pointless marching. After moving on to the University of Missouri, he studied journalism and became an All-American college wrestler.
In 2023, Greg released his Amazon Prime special “The Salesman”, which was co-produced by Nate Bargatze and 800 Pound Gorilla Media. The project tells the story of his post-college phase when he had a stint selling Jif and Pringles for Procter & Gamble, eventually leading to his decision to become a full-time comedian. According to The New York Times, “Greg has done for peanut butter what Jerry Seinfeld did for Pop-Tarts and Jim Gaffigan did for Hot Pockets.” An honest mix of self-deprecation, frustration and an arsenal of lifelike characters highlight Greg’s colorful perspective.
BREAKOUT SESSION
We Have Drones - Now What?
Matt Udelhoven & Andrew Wolcott
Time: 9:00 am-10:25 am and 10:35 am-12:00 pm (Alma Mater)
This session will help attendees navigate the use of drones with a refresher on the Illinois "Drones as First Responders Act" that went into effect in 2023, as well as an overview of the components to consider in order to have a successful drone program. These include using drones as a first responder, Remote ID, live streaming, thermal, flying at special events, indoor flights, and other relevant topics.
Matt Udelhoven has been with the Elgin Police Department for 31 years and is presently the Patrol Operations Commander. He was a member of the NIPAS Mobile Field Force from 1995 to 2006, at which time he joined the newly formed ILEAS Region 3 North Mobile Field Force, serving as Team Commander since 2010. Matt is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command, Class #407.
Matt has run his department’s UAS (drone) program since its inception in 2016. Elgin has 15 drone pilots and 15 drones, and Matt continues to move their program forward. He has given several drone presentations at conferences throughout Illinois, as well as at the UAV Expo Conference in Las Vegas in 2023. Matt has attended the Drone as First Responder (DFR) course at the Los Angeles County Regional Training Center and also visited the Chula Vista (CA) Police Department to observe their DFR program. He worked with Lt. Andrew Wolcott and other police drone leaders during the last couple of years to assist with changing Illinois Drone Legislation to what is now known as the “Drone as First Responders Act”.
Andrew Wolcott has worked at the Aurora Police Department for over 21 years. He currently a Lieutenant, overseeing the department’s Real-time Crime and Intelligence Center, Crisis Intervention Unit, Traffic Unit and Special Events Unit. In 2019, he started the department’s drone program and in the same year began working on legislation to replace the Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act. He was the law enforcement team lead on the changes to the state law that went into effect in 2023.
Lt. Wolcott began teaching the 40-hour ILETSB certified law enforcement drone program at the College of DuPage’s Homeland Security Training Institute in 2019. He was certified through the Airborne Law Enforcement Association as a drone program manager and attended the drone operators course at the Los Angeles County Regional Training Center. Lt. Wolcott had the opportunity to visit and observe the Chula Vista Police Department's DFR program in action. He is also a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command.
BREAKOUT SESSION
Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Update
Karilyn Orr, Steve Strahm & Ron Wolflick
Time: 10:35 am-12:00 pm (Illinois Ballroom)
Topics in this presentation will include the mission of the Illinois Attorney General’s ICAC Task Force, an update on their work with the Digital Forensic and Internet Safety Programs, and the latest information on Artificial Intelligence.
Karilyn Orr is an Internet Safety Specialist and has been with the Illinois ICAC for over 6 years. Karilyn has a Graduate Degree in Sociology and is an Adjunct College Professor. In addition, she presents to over 2,000 Illinois elementary and high school students and parents on such topics as social media navigation and issues, and online safety and awareness.
Steve Strahm is Director of the Digital Forensics Program with the Illinois Attorney General’s office, and has worked ICAC cases for more than 10 years. He has a Graduate Degree in Computer Forensics and supervises 10 other Digital Forensic Examiners based within four satellite labs throughout the State.
Ron Wolflick has been the Commander of the Illinois ICAC for the last eight years. He retired from the DHS Homeland Security Investigations and Legacy U.S. Customs after 32 years, serving as a Special Agent and in Group Supervisor roles.
BREAKOUT SESSION
Threat & Intelligence Briefing - Illinois State Police
Aaron Kustermann
Time: 9:00 am-10:25 am (Illinois Ballroom)
This session will offer a briefing on current threats facing public safety and law enforcement in Illinois. The presentation will also provided an overview of national and international events and their potential impacts to Illinois, as well as a forecasting of events and challenges public safety could face in the future.
Aaron Kustermann has served as the Illinois State Police Chief Intelligence Officer since 2009. Aaron serves on a number of national executive and advisory boards on matters of technology and intelligence. He holds a Master's Degree in National security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School.
BREAKOUT SESSION
Law Enforcement Special Event Planning & Management
Michael Lange
Time: 9:00 am-10:25 am and 10:35 am-12:00 pm (Chancellor Ballroom)
This session gives law enforcement professionals guidance and tools to plan and manage larger events in their communities. We must plan for the worst but hope for the best by weighing security measures, creating operational structures, and establishing effective methods of communication. Strategic and collaborative planning is vital for the success of a large-scale event.
Michael Lange has been with the Lake Forest Police Department since 2004, and is currently the Deputy Chief of Operations. He is also the Team Commander of the Lake County Police Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT). The Lake County IMAT was formed in 2017 and has 25 members comprised of 19 law enforcement agencies. The team’s focus is on helping local law enforcement agencies with dynamic, large-scale active events and pre-planning for significant community events that impact police services. Deputy Chief Lange has also been an Adjunct Professor in the Criminal Justice Program at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI since 2010.
BREAKOUT SESSION
Railroad Policing: One Team, One Fight
Eric Peden
Time: 9:00 am-10:25 am (Lincoln Ballroom)
This session will introduce attendees to Railroad Policing and Rail Safety for Local, County and State agencies responding to rail incidents.
Eric Peden is a Police Specialist/FTO with Norfolk Southern Police Department and a member of their Special Operations Response Team. He has been in law enforcement for 23 years and is a State Certified Firearms Instructor, Patrol Rifle Instructor, HRVS Instructor and Controlled Force Defensive Tactics Instructor.
BREAKOUT SESSION
Spotlight on ILEAS Special Teams
Damian Feeny, Michael Johnston & James Middlemas
Time: 10:35 am-12:00 pm (Lincoln Ballroom)
You probably know about the regionalized Special Teams that ILEAS supports and funds, but maybe you don’t know exactly what they do and how they operate. This session will cover the where/when/why/how of the Mobile Field Forces, Weapons of Mass Destruction Special Response Teams, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal/Bomb Teams. Commanders from each of these teams will present information and answer any questions!
Damian Feeny has been with Highland Police Department for 18 years and is currently a Lieutenant. Since 2014, he has been the Team Commander of the ILEAS Mobile Field Force team in Region 8, which covers 11 counties in the southwestern part of the State.
Michael Johnston is a Sergeant with the Peoria Police Department and Commander of the Peoria Bomb Squad.
James Middlemas is Chief Deputy with the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office and Team Commander of the ILEAS WMD Special Response Team in Regions 6 and 7, covering nearly 30 counties throughout the central part of the State.
GENERAL SESSION
Police Officer Wellness, Ethics & Resilience (P.O.W.E.R)
Michael Schlosser
Time: 1:00 pm-2:15 pm (Illinois Ballroom)
This presentation aims to equip law enforcement professionals with the knowledge and practical skills for their well-being. Dr. Schlosser will explore the profound connection between police ethics and wellness, emphasizing how one influences the other. Atendees will discover how enhancing well-being can lead to more ethical decision-making in the police force.
Dr. Michael Schlosser retired as Director of the Police Training Institute at the University of Illinois after 25 years of service – 14 years as an instructor and 11 years as Director. He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Governor’s State University, a Master’s Degree in Legal Studies from the University of Illinois-Springfield, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He retired as a Lieutenant from the Rantoul Illinois Police Department after 20 years of service.
Dr. Schlosser is credited for groundbreaking efforts toward police reform through the implementation of innovative curricula for improving police practices. He has been involved in numerous research projects in collaboration with various colleges at the University of Illinois. Dr. Schlosser has authored dozens of articles, is co-author of the book The POWER Manual: a Step-by-Step Guide to Improving Police Officer Wellness, Ethics, and Resilience, made numerous radio and television appearances, and given over 200 presentations across the country on topics such as community policing, police tactics, police training, use of force, de-escalation techniques, control and arrest tactics, the intersection of police and race, diversity, police officer wellness, police family wellness, civilian self-defense, and various other topics related to American law enforcement.
CLOSING SESSION
What’s Your Echo?
Brian Murphy
Time: 2:30 pm-5:00 pm (Illinois Ballroom)
What happens when bad things happen? How we react and what we do after sets us up for the rest of our life.
This special presentation will feature Ret. Lieutenant Brian Murphy, a 22-year veteran of law enforcement with the Oak Creek Police Department in Wisconsin. Brian was shot 15 times while responding to an active shooter at a Sikh Temple in 2012. He was instrumental in saving lives that day and personifies the "Warrior Mindset." Brian received the Congressional Medal of Valor for his actions that day.