Oglesby swears-in new police officer Munoz

City might hire another cop to patrol IVCC

Oglesby had pledged to reduce times when only one police officer is on patrol. The city kept its pledge and will cut the number of one-officer shifts by 83%.

Monday, Officer Paul Munoz was sworn-in to the Oglesby Police Department. His salary will be paid through the drug fund.

Munoz, 26, is originally from Oak Forest but lives in Seneca and said Oglesby appealed to him because “I just like the small town feel.” He attended Western Illinois University and is completing his police training.

“It still doesn’t feel real yet,” Munoz said of his hiring. “I’ve been smiling all day.”

Munoz was hired after the City Council, in October, agreed to add a police officer to increase the availability of backups. That’s been a priority since December 2020, when a gunman fired at (but missed) two officers at Illinois Valley Community College. Just days ago the suspect in that case, Peter Bergsma of Michigan, was found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Munoz might not be the newest officer for long. The city might hire another to patrol IVCC. Though the college has long enjoyed Oglesby police services, talks continue about giving IVCC a designated officer to provide expanded service hours at a more cost-effective rate.

Finally, the council tabled three items until Commissioners Carrie Lijewski and Jim Cullinan, both absent Monday, could return. These include an ordinance amending the composition of the committee for the Building Improvement Grant Program and appointing members to the 2022 façade committee. The council also tabled appointing members to the Ambulance Board.

The council also took no action after a discussion about how to remit city workers with COVID-19. A rift appeared to emerge in whether workers must burn sick time or be granted administrative leave. No consensus was reached and the council opted to take up the question another time.