Hidden in Plain Sight

09/04/2026

09/27/2025

🙌 Today at the NAACP State Convention at the Quality Inn in Bradley, IL, Kankakee County Coroner's Office Coroner Bob Gessner, Jim Schreiner from Pledge for Life Partnership, and Nikki Zarate, from Riverside Healthcare shared a powerful presentation on current drug trends and prevention efforts in our community.

Following the presentation, attendees toured our Hidden in Plain Sight (HIPS) trailer—an interactive exhibit that shows how everyday items can be used to hide drugs and paraphernalia. The trailer sparked great conversations and increased awareness about the importance of prevention and early intervention.

We are grateful to Theotis Pace, and the Kankakee County Branch NAACP for inviting us to be part of this statewide event and for their commitment to piecing together a safer and healthier community.
Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s Community Division
I-KAN Iroquois-Kankakee Regional Office of Education
Kankakee County Health Department
City of Kankakee, Illinois
Kankakee County Sheriff's Office

09/26/2025

Thank you to Dr. Shelly Stroud and her Criminal Justice students at Olivet Nazarene University for inviting us to share important prevention education this week. From the Kankakee County Coroner's Office, Coroner Bob Gessner and Jim Schreiner from Pledge for Life Partnership spoke with the class about current drug trends impacting our community and then gave students a tour of the Hidden in Plain Sight (HIPS) trailer.

The HIPS trailer provides a hands-on look at how everyday items can be used to conceal drugs and paraphernalia—equipping future criminal justice professionals with real-world knowledge to make a difference.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with ONU and support the next generation in keeping our community safe. 💜

Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s Community Division
Kankakee County Sheriff's Office
City of Kankakee, Illinois
I-KAN Iroquois-Kankakee Regional Office of Education
Riverside Healthcare
Kankakee County Health Department

09/09/2025

🚨 This past weekend, our Hidden in Plain Sight (HIPS) trailer was on display at the annual NAACP Health Fair at the Lisieux Center in Kankakee! 🚨

We had a fantastic turnout, giving tours of the trailer to help parents and community members spot the everyday items teens may use to hide substances. Along with the tours, we also handed out Deterra System drug deactivation bags to support safe and easy medication disposal.

A big thank you to the Kankakee County Branch NAACP for hosting such a powerful event and to all the community members who stopped by to learn more. Together, we’re making a difference in keeping our youth safe and healthy! 💙

Pictured below is Kankakee Coroner Robert Gessner and Jim Schreiner from the Pledge for Life Partnership.

Pledge for Life Partnership
Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s Community Division
Kankakee County Coroner's Office
Kankakee County Sheriff's Office
Jim Rowe, Kankakee County State's Attorney
Riverside Healthcare
I-KAN Iroquois-Kankakee Regional Office of Education
City of Kankakee, Illinois

08/27/2025

State's Attorney Jim Rowe and Carrie Stewart from the Community Division office have done an outstanding job building programs that support our community, and their dedication continues to make a difference across Kankakee County.

Today we were honored to attend the ribbon-cutting for the new Kankakee County State's Attorney's Community Division office!

This is the only State's Attorney Office in Illinois that has a Community Division. Jim Rowe and his team do amazing things.

Thank you to everyone working hard to piece together a safer and healthier community.

08/26/2025

🚨 Mark Your Calendars! 🚨

Join us at the NAACP Health & Wellness Fair on Saturday, September 6th at the Lisieux Center, 371 N. St. Joseph Ave, Kankakee, IL! 🏥✨

We will be there with our Hidden in Plain Sight (HIPS) trailer – an interactive educational tool that helps parents, caregivers, and community members recognize everyday items that may be used to hide drugs or alcohol.

Come explore, learn, and connect with local resources focused on keeping our community healthy and safe. 💙

Kankakee County Coroner's Office
Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s Community Division
Jim Rowe, Kankakee County State's Attorney
Pledge for Life Partnership
I-KAN Iroquois-Kankakee Regional Office of Education
City of Kankakee, Illinois
Kankakee County Sheriff's Office
Riverside Healthcare

08/06/2025

National Night Out 2025!
We offered tours of the HIPS trailer, distributed life saving Naloxone (Narcan) and gave away Deterra System home medication disposal pouches to help make our community safer.
Kankakee County Coroner's Office
Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s Community Division
Jim Rowe, Kankakee County State's Attorney
Pledge for Life Partnership
I-KAN Iroquois-Kankakee Regional Office of Education
City of Kankakee, Illinois
Kankakee County Sheriff's Office

07/30/2025

🚨🚔 National Night Out is almost here! 🚔🚨
Join us Tuesday, August 5th at Perry Farm in Bourbonnais for an evening of family fun, community connection—and prevention education!

👀 Don’t miss our Hidden in Plain Sight (HIPS) Trailer!
Step inside and explore a mock teen bedroom filled with everyday items that may be hiding signs of risky behavior or substance misuse. This powerful, eye-opening experience helps parents, caregivers, and community members learn how to spot red flags and start important conversations with youth.

🕕 Event Time: 4:00pm-DUSK
📍 Location: Perry Farm, Bourbonnais, IL

🎉 Enjoy games, giveaways, food, and FIREWORKS while getting to know your local first responders and prevention partners. Together, we piece together a safer and healthier community!

Pledge for Life Partnership
Kankakee County Coroner's Office
Jim Rowe, Kankakee County State's Attorney
Riverside Healthcare
Kankakee County Sheriff's Office
City of Kankakee, Illinois
Kankakee Area Career Center
I-KAN Iroquois-Kankakee Regional Office of Education

07/11/2025

The Hidden in Plain Sight trailer will be showcased at the Pembroke Heath and Wellness Fair. We invite you to visit and participate in this educational experience.

Riverside Healthcare Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s Community Division Pledge for Life Partnership
Kankakee County Coroner's Office

06/12/2025

Come on out and see us at Jim Rowe's Annual Senior Fair at the Quality Inn today from 9am -1pm