Illinois Investigation Clears Winnebago County Sheriff in Radio Purchase Probe

An Illinois investigation cleared Winnebago County officials of wrongdoing in a publicly scrutinized radio purchase, confirming the process was lawful and transparent.

State’s Attorney Finds No Wrongdoing

An investigation in Winnebago County has concluded with no evidence of misconduct by Gary Caruana or Chief Deputy Rick Ciganek regarding the purchase of Motorola radios, according to findings released by the Winnebago County State's Attorney's Office.

After a full review, prosecutors determine the procurement process followed all applicable laws, county policies, and ethical standards.

Officials stated the purchase was conducted transparently and in line with standard procedures.

Approval Process Under Scrutiny

The radio upgrade, which had beed questioned publicly, was unanimously approved by the Winnebago County Board after undergoing routine review. Investigators found no irregularities in how the contract was evaluated or awarded.

Sheriff Caruana defended the process, calling the allegations politically motivated and misleading. He emphasized that the purchase had been vetted at multiple levels before final approval.

Public Safety and Cost Savings Highlighted

Authorities noted that the radio system upgrade had been under consideration for years due to aging equipment. Officials say the new system improves communication reliability for deputies responding to emergencies, directly impacting officer safety and response times.

The Sheriff's Office also pointed to cost savings for taxpayers. describing the investment as both necessary and fiscally responsible.

Transparency at the Center of Findings

By releasing the State's Attorney's letter, officials say they aim to provide full transparency to the public.

The findings characterize the complaint as unfounded, reinforcing that the upgrade was a routine and widely supported effort to modernize public safety infrastructure.