Qualifications
CAREER PROSECUTOR JASON HELLAND ANNOUNCES HIS CANDIDACY FOR RE-ELECTION FOR GRUNDY COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY
Jason Helland has announced his candidacy for re-election for the Office of Grundy County State’s Attorney. Helland graduated magna cum laude from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois, and magna cum laude from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago. He was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2003 and worked at the Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s Office for 8 ½ years where he practiced in the juvenile, traffic, misdemeanor, felony, and mental health divisions. Helland has tried over 80 jury trials to verdict.
Helland’s nearly 12 years of prosecution experience is an asset and was a major reason why Grundy County was able to establish its first ever Mental Health Court.
Helland will continue to use his energy and dedication to continue to make sure that Grundy County is a safe place to live, work, and raise a family. As Grundy County State’s Attorney Helland made sure that when someone broke the law and committed a crime, there were consequences for their actions.
Helland believes that the State’s Attorney is one of the most important in state government because it has the power to ensure that everyone in the county from victims to witnesses to defendants are treated with fairness.
Helland grew up in Grundy County and graduated Milton Pope and Seneca High School. Helland also worked at the Eagle Country Market Grocery Store in Morris for 8 years.
Helland is running for State’s Attorney because he has dedicated his entire career to public service. Helland will continue to lead the office with the highest standards of honor and integrity. Helland has implemented programs to seek to reduce and recidivism and has been actively involved in crime prevention.
Helland’s accomplishments include being fiscally responsible with the taxpayer’s money and reducing his budget by more than $60,000 in his first year in office. Under Helland’s leadership, the State’s Attorney’s budget in FY2015 is more than $30,000 less than the budget he inherited for FY2013.
Helland also implemented several DUI prevention programs in 2013. Helland believed that his office did a great job prosecuting impaired drivers but needed to improve public awareness and prevention. As a result of several DUI programs that were implemented, Grundy County had its second lowest number of DUI arrests over the last 15 years in 2013.
Helland’s proactive approach to crime prevention has included hosting several heroin forums to educate the public about the heroin problem plaguing the county. In addition, Helland has spoken to large groups about the devastating effects of drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, bullying, elder abuse, and financial exploitation of the elderly. Helland has also vigorously prosecuted home repair fraud cases.
Helland also serves as President of Breaking Away, Inc., which is a program that offers emergency temporary shelter for domestic violence victims. Through Helland’s advocacy and hard work, Breaking Away, Inc., has received increased funding for the program and has seen an increase in clients served.
Helland has also reinvested in the community to due to a large number of drug asset forfeiture cases. Through drug forfeiture, Helland was able to purchase three K-9 dogs for local law enforcement in order to get illegal drugs off the streets. These purchases have produced immediate dividends. Surveillance cameras have also been placed in parks to aid local law enforcement in crime prevention and to keep our children safe.
Helland said his major goal in his second term will be to vigorously investigate and prosecute those offenders that were involved in the Cold Case Homicide of Nicole Bowers. Although more than 15 years have passed, Helland believes that his investigation will result in an arrest and prosecution of those who are responsible for Bowers’ death.
Helland was an adjunct professor of criminal justice and political science at the University of St. Francis from 2006 to 2013. While at the university, Helland taught criminal law, criminal procedure, diversity in criminal justice, state and local politics, and juvenile law.
Helland lives in Mazon with his wife Sara and daughter Harper. Helland will be seeking the Republican nomination for the Office of State’s Attorney in the March 2016 primary election.
Jason Helland has announced his candidacy for re-election for the Office of Grundy County State’s Attorney. Helland graduated magna cum laude from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois, and magna cum laude from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago. He was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2003 and worked at the Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s Office for 8 ½ years where he practiced in the juvenile, traffic, misdemeanor, felony, and mental health divisions. Helland has tried over 80 jury trials to verdict.
Helland’s nearly 12 years of prosecution experience is an asset and was a major reason why Grundy County was able to establish its first ever Mental Health Court.
Helland will continue to use his energy and dedication to continue to make sure that Grundy County is a safe place to live, work, and raise a family. As Grundy County State’s Attorney Helland made sure that when someone broke the law and committed a crime, there were consequences for their actions.
Helland believes that the State’s Attorney is one of the most important in state government because it has the power to ensure that everyone in the county from victims to witnesses to defendants are treated with fairness.
Helland grew up in Grundy County and graduated Milton Pope and Seneca High School. Helland also worked at the Eagle Country Market Grocery Store in Morris for 8 years.
Helland is running for State’s Attorney because he has dedicated his entire career to public service. Helland will continue to lead the office with the highest standards of honor and integrity. Helland has implemented programs to seek to reduce and recidivism and has been actively involved in crime prevention.
Helland’s accomplishments include being fiscally responsible with the taxpayer’s money and reducing his budget by more than $60,000 in his first year in office. Under Helland’s leadership, the State’s Attorney’s budget in FY2015 is more than $30,000 less than the budget he inherited for FY2013.
Helland also implemented several DUI prevention programs in 2013. Helland believed that his office did a great job prosecuting impaired drivers but needed to improve public awareness and prevention. As a result of several DUI programs that were implemented, Grundy County had its second lowest number of DUI arrests over the last 15 years in 2013.
Helland’s proactive approach to crime prevention has included hosting several heroin forums to educate the public about the heroin problem plaguing the county. In addition, Helland has spoken to large groups about the devastating effects of drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, bullying, elder abuse, and financial exploitation of the elderly. Helland has also vigorously prosecuted home repair fraud cases.
Helland also serves as President of Breaking Away, Inc., which is a program that offers emergency temporary shelter for domestic violence victims. Through Helland’s advocacy and hard work, Breaking Away, Inc., has received increased funding for the program and has seen an increase in clients served.
Helland has also reinvested in the community to due to a large number of drug asset forfeiture cases. Through drug forfeiture, Helland was able to purchase three K-9 dogs for local law enforcement in order to get illegal drugs off the streets. These purchases have produced immediate dividends. Surveillance cameras have also been placed in parks to aid local law enforcement in crime prevention and to keep our children safe.
Helland said his major goal in his second term will be to vigorously investigate and prosecute those offenders that were involved in the Cold Case Homicide of Nicole Bowers. Although more than 15 years have passed, Helland believes that his investigation will result in an arrest and prosecution of those who are responsible for Bowers’ death.
Helland was an adjunct professor of criminal justice and political science at the University of St. Francis from 2006 to 2013. While at the university, Helland taught criminal law, criminal procedure, diversity in criminal justice, state and local politics, and juvenile law.
Helland lives in Mazon with his wife Sara and daughter Harper. Helland will be seeking the Republican nomination for the Office of State’s Attorney in the March 2016 primary election.
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