Neighbors in the news: Bartlett Police Department names its Officer of the Year
• The Bartlett Police Department has selected Officer Derek Bansley as its 2021 Police Officer of the Year for his outstanding performance and work ethic during the past year.
Bansley, who has been a dedicated member of the police department for the past 15 years, was recognized by his supervisors and peers for providing exceptional police service and consistently presenting himself in a highly professional manner.
During the past year, he was awarded the police department's Certificate of Commendation for utilizing his CIT skills and displaying care, empathy and compassion toward an individual who walked many miles from his residence in a neighboring community to report a deceased individual.
The information was passed along to a neighboring jurisdiction and it was determined the individual was telling the truth about his discovery.
Officer Bansley was also selected as the police department's Employee of the Month for his role in coordinating efforts with the West Chicago Police Department and School District U-46 to successfully locate an alleged suicidal juvenile.
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Jennifer Morrison has joined Illinois American Water as program director of Supplier Diversity and Community Outreach to enhance the company's relationships with diverse organizations to broaden the utilization of minority women and veteran suppliers.
She will also be a strategic partner to business unit leaders and Human Resources to design and develop Inclusion & Diversity workforce strategies.
"Illinois American Water understands that our diversity is our strength, as reflected in the inclusivity of our employees and the communities we serve. We are pleased Jennifer has joined our team to help lead and support our ongoing Inclusion & Diversity efforts," said Justin Ladner, Illinois American Water president.
Morrison joins Illinois American Water from WEC Energy Group, where she worked since 2002. She holds a master's degree in corporate and public communications and a bachelor's degree in public policy and administration from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
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Hayden James of Streamwood, a seventh-grader at Missouri Military Academy, Mexico, Missouri, was awarded second place in the 2021 Congressional App Challenge for Missouri's Fourth Congressional District.
James received the award for his "Shortcuts" app. The application allows users to create links to their most used or favorite websites for easy access.
More than 300 members of the U.S. House of Representatives hosted Congressional App Challenge events in their districts, which aims to engage students in computer science. During the last four months, thousands of students coded original apps nationwide as part of the contest.
• Patterson Law Firm, LLC, Chicago, announced that Vernon Hills resident David Sanders, formerly a senior associate at the firm, was elevated to member. Sanders represents clients in business lawsuits, including professional malpractice, insurance coverage, shareholder disputes and cryptocurrency cases.
He graduated from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, where he was a member and editor of the Northwestern Journal of International Human Rights. He was also involved in the Bluhm Legal Clinic, assisting clients in civil litigation matters.
Prior to law school, he attended the University of Washington, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and graduated cum laude.
• Send 'Neighbors in the News' items to ntwohey@dailyherald.com.