OFFICE OF GOVERNOR PAT QUINN NEWS
METRO EAST POLICE DISTRICT COMMISSION MEMBERS
Calvin L. Dye Sr. of Caseyville is currently an investigator for the St. Clair County State’s Attorney Office and has nearly 30 years of experience in the law enforcement field including positions with the St. Clair County Sherriff’s Department, the Illinois State Police and Illinois Department of Corrections. Dye also worked as a special agent responsible for the crack down on gang-related activities. He completed a Bachelor of Arts in liberal Studies at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Further, in addition to completing 21 weeks at the State Police Academy, Dye has attended several police training workshops and seminars covering a wide array of topics including Field Training, Division of Criminal Investigation, Juvenile and Street Level Drugs. Dye also serves as trustee and treasurer at Pilgrim Baptist Church and is currently a member of the NAACP.
Annette A. Eckert of Belleville is a retired judge from the 20th Judicial Circuit in Illinois. Eckert started her career in the legal field as an Assistant Public Defender in Cook County, then moved onto private practice. During her judgeship, Eckert presided over the Family Division from 1992 to 1995, and in 2002 she became the first elected female judge to the 20th Judicial Circuit where she presided over the Felony Trial Division and later the St. Clair County Drug Court. Eckert also has experience as an instructor in higher education. Eckert has taught at Loyola University of Law, Southeastern Illinois College Police Academy and currently at Lindenwood University, where she teaches Criminal Justice and serves as a Recruitment Advisor. Eckert received her Bachelor’s Degree from Bradley University and her Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from DePaul University College of Law. Eckert has received many awards and honors including being awarded the “30 years/30 leaders – Violence Prevention Center of Southwest Illinois 30th Anniversary Award,” the “Chief Judge Richard A. Hudlin IV Memorial Award” and the “Voices Against family Violence Award for 2003 for Improving the Lives of Victims of Family Violence.” Eckert’s work has been published in Illinois Juvenile Law and Practice and in Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education. Eckert also serves on the Board of Directors for the Karla Smith Foundation and the Juvenile Justice Commission of St. Clair County.
Kendall L. Granger of O’Fallon is currently the senior pastor of the New Life Community Church in East St. Louis. Granger received his Associates Degree from State Community College and his Masters in Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary. Granger has been pastor at the New Life Community Church since 2000, and has helped the congregation grow from just 12 members to over 1,500. Granger has also created several community outreach programs that partner with area schools, senior centers and organizations. Granger is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, serves as the coordinator of the East S. Louis Chaplaincy, and is an executive board member of the Illinois Baptist State Association and the Board of Directors for the United Congregations of Metro East Peace & Justice Institution. Granger has been awarded the Christian Social Service award along with many other community and NAACP leadership awards.
Martin Gulley of Swansea is the superintendent of operations at Metro Transit of St. Louis, where he oversees the day to day operations of the MetroLink line. Gulley received his Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Grambling State University in Louisiana. Gulley has served as a board member for the Greater St. Louis Regional Empowerment Zone and the St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation. Currently Gulley Serves on the Board of Directors for the Sinai Family Life Center, a social service outreach agency of the Mt. Sinai Baptist Church. The Center provides services to neighborhood families including after-school tutoring, summer camps, senior activities, financial literacy courses, homeownership training and mentoring programs.
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OFFICE OF GOVERNOR PAT QUINN NEWS
Johnny Scott of East St. Louis is a veteran of the United States Army, and received his Honorable Discharge in April of 1961. Scott attended Mildred Louise Business College, LaSalle University, Forest Park College and the Midwest Theology Seminary. After completing his service in the Army, he became the general supervisor of the U.S. Postal Service in St. Louis, and then opened an Accounting and Tax Service business. Scott is a member of the National Society of Public Accountants, and has served as chaplain for the St. Clair County Sherriff Department and the East St. Louis Police Department. Scott was appointed Illinois Hate Crime Commissioner in 1999 and currently serves as president of the NAACP. Scott currently serves on the Advisory Board for the St. Louis Mo. Children’s Hospital.
Rodger A. Richards of Lebanon is a United States Army Military Police Veteran. Richards attended the FBI National Academy and received his Bachelor of Arts from McKendree College. Richards served as the police chief for the city of Fairview Heights and the director of public safety at Southwestern Illinois College. He also served as executive director of the Southwestern Law Enforcement Commission.
Rob Scott of Chatham is the associate general counsel for the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Labor Council, which represents law enforcement bargaining units in Illinois. Scott received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin and his Juris Doctorate from Southern Illinois University School of Law.