Lake County coroner candidates say focus on preventable deaths is part of the job

A focus on preventable deaths is a shared goal for Lake County coroner candidates.

Incumbent Democrat Jennifer Banek, a nurse anesthetist, is seeking a second term. She is opposed by Republican Mark A. Symonds, co-owner of a funeral home making a first run at elected office.

The coroner’s post is one of three countywide positions up for election Nov. 5.

Banek said the coroner’s mission is to conduct efficient and thorough death investigations, focusing on preventable deaths.

Besides providing support and information to loved ones, the office also acts as an extension of the public health system by using circumstances of deaths to educate and support the living, she said.

“I do think many people are unclear about what the coroner’s office does,” said the Green Oaks resident. “I think we’ve really expanded the scope of our office.”

Symonds has 33 years of funeral director experience and a lifetime in the funeral industry. He said he was encouraged to run by funeral directors and others.

“I wasn't looking for politics,” said the Highland Park resident. “Politics found me.”

Compassion and empathy for families of the deceased are among his goals.

Besides being “a natural next step,” Symonds said he would bring a lot to the office including an ability to connect with grieving families and communicating complex information.

“I'll be the one to tell their story,” he said.

While operating as an extension of law enforcement, Banek said she has redefined and expanded the office as being essential to the public health system.

That includes collaborating with policymakers and others for funding of mental health and other services and using the stories of those who died to benefit and support the living, she said.

“My job is to put myself out of a job,” she said. “I really insert myself on the front end.”

As an example, she said integrating the coroner’s reporting case log computer system with Gift of Hope organ and tissue donor network significantly reduced wait time and increased referrals.

The partnership had 24 successful donors last year, whose organs and tissues helped an estimated 600 or more people, Banek said.

Banek cited creating a publicly accessible dashboard with real-time updates on homicides, overdoses and suicides; identifying $150,000 in unnecessary spending and using the funds more effectively; and, networking and forming partnerships to support families among her achievements in office.

Symonds said mental health conditions, such as PTSD, should not be overlooked when they are contributing causes of death and should be listed as such. Reporting accurate causes and contributing factors is important to secure resources to address the issues, he said.

“Together, a community can learn from tragedies and organizations can come together to provide education so that avoidable deaths are reduced,” Symonds said.

He suggested developing a group of vetted volunteers to provide care and resources to families of the deceased. Community education is a way to help reduce avoidable deaths, he added.