Probation director McGibany retires; Dallas is first woman to serve as interim director

Madison County is making history with the appointment of its first woman to serve as interim director of the Probation and Court Services Department.

Judith A. (Pieper) Dallas, a 35-year veteran of law enforcement and the criminal justice system, will succeed Darrell McGibany who is retiring.

According to a press release issued by Madison County Chief Judge Ann Callis, McGibany has served in a variety of positions throughout a 34-year career within the department, including as detention superintendent, associate director and most recently as director.

McGibany, who plans to continue working as a consultant, is the recipient of numerous state and national awards for dedication and service to his profession.

He was instrumental in establishing programs which have become models for other offices around the state such as Drug Court, Mental Health Court, school-based probation, intensive probation and treatment for sex offender and domestic violence offenders, pretrial services, offender intake and assessment, victim services, enhanced detention services, and satellite offices, among other things.

Dallas, who has worked in probation almost 20 years, is a lifelong resident of Granite City and has served as detective secretary and chief's secretary with the Granite City Police Department and as senior administrative assistant, supervisor, deputy chief, and currently as a chief probation officer with Madison County.

She is a 1989 graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, obtaining a bachelor's degree in sociology.

During the 1980s, she served multiple terms as president and vice-president of AFSCME's Granite City white collar local.

In 2002, she was the recipient of the prestigious Illinois Probation and Court Services Association's Pauline Gansauer Award presented to an individual who most exemplifies dedication to the profession and commitment to the improvement of probation services in the state.