Round Lake Park Police Chief George Filenko (middle) received the 2013 Law Enforcement Award from the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) at a luncheon and awards presentation held during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, on April 23, at the Gurnee Park District, Viking Park Hall, in Gurnee. ISBA Executive Director Robert Craghead (left) presented the award.The event was sponsored by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Lake County Chiefs of Police Association.

The ISBA’s Law Enforcement Award was created to recognize sworn law enforcement officers for conduct that promotes justice and to distinguish those individuals whose service to the public brings honor and respect to the entire criminal justice system. It is given sparingly to recognize those who truly excel in the field of law enforcement. 

In addition to fulfilling his professional duties, Chief Filenko has made numerous other contributions to the community where he works and lives. As the Commander of Lake County Major Crimes Task Force, he has fostered an extraordinary level of cooperation between task force members and the 35 communities it serves. He is a past president of the Lake County Chiefs of Police and chair of its Police Gang Committee.

The Chief was also recognized for his extraordinary community activity outside the area of law enforcement. He has been president of the Mano-a-Mano Community Resource Center, a foundation Fellow of the Lake Zurich Lions Club, and an active member of the advisory board of Lake County Teen Court and Round Lake Area Exchange Club.

In his nomination, State’s Attorney Michael G. Nerheim (right) wrote: “Chief George Filenko has dedicated his life to the protection of Illinois’ citizens and fostered cooperation between law enforcement and the public. Through his professional and volunteer activities, he has encouraged a proactive interaction between the police and our villages’ citizens. This interaction has…led to greatly increasing the public’s understanding of the criminal justice system.”