April 16, 2024
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Joliet Mayor Terry D’Arcy replaces Rosa Hernandez on Joliet police board

Hernandez had been reappointed to the board by former Mayor O’Dekirk

By Bob Okon
Candidate for Joliet City Council District 4 Rosa Hernandez speaks at a forum for the candidates at the Joliet Public Library on Thursday, March 9th, 2023 in Joliet.

Rosa Hernandez, seen at a March forum for Joliet City Council candidates, has been replaced on the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. (Gary Middendorf – gmiddendorf@shawmedia/Gary Middendorf)

New Mayor Terry D’Arcy has made his first appointment to the Joliet Board of Fire and Police Commissioners replacing his predecessor’s last appointment.

The City Council on May 16 unanimously approved D’Arcy’s appointment of retired Joliet police Sgt. John Stefanski to the board, which oversees hiring and promotions in the police and fire departments.

Stefanski, who retired in 2021, replaced Rosa Hernandez.

Joliet Police Officer John Stefanski (left) was among 54 cyclists that rode across Illinois in the Cycle Across America police memorial ride honoring fallen law enforcement officers. The ride was founded, in part, because of the loss of Joliet officer Jonathan Walsh 10 years ago.

Retired Joliet Police Sgt. John Stefanski (left) seen among cyclists at a Cycle Across America police memorial ride honoring fallen law enforcement officers. (Jessica Bourque)

Previous Mayor Bob O’Dekirk appointed Hernandez to a second term on the board with full council approval on April 18, which was O’Dekirk’s last regular council meeting before the change in mayors following the April 4 election.

The Hernandez reappointment, however, ran contrary to state law barring mayors from appointing members to the fire and police board within 30 days of the end of their terms.

D’Arcy could have reappointed Hernandez himself. She remained on the board until a new appointee was approved.

Hernandez was an unsuccessful candidate for the City Council seat in District 4 in the April 4 election. The seat was won by Cesar Cardenas, who supported D’Arcy in the mayor’s race.

Two other members of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners ran unsuccessfully for City Council in the April 4 election. They are Chairman Quinn Adamowski and Janean Jackson. The other members of the five-member board are Brad Price and John Lukancic.

In an addition to approving hiring and promotions, the board also can serve as an appeals body for police and firefighters contesting disciplinary actions.