Garry McCarthy will be named Thursday as the interim police chief in Willow Springs.
Chicago’s former top cop McCarthy hired to lead Willow Springs police
By Steve Metsch
Garry McCarthy, former superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, has been appointed interim police chief in Willow Springs.
A news conference is set for 10 a.m. Thursday at the village hall to announce the move.
McCarthy replaces James Ritz, who submitted his resignation as police chief to Village Administrator Ryan Grace on Tuesday. Grace did not comment on the resignation.
Asked Wednesday how the village connected with McCarthy, Grace said: “I reached out to a mutual friend asking for qualified applicants and was provided Mr. McCarthy’s information.”
McCarthy has agreed to be interim police chief for six months, Grace said.
“The Willow Springs Police Department is an integral part of our community,” Mayor Melissa Neddermeyer said in a news release.
“We are a community that believes in and supports police,” she said.
“Bringing on an interim chief with the experience and knowledge that Mr. McCarthy has will set our department on the right track for the future.” the mayor said.
Ritz had been police chief about three and one-half years, Grace said.
Ritz, who grew up in Lyons, formerly was a commander on the Lyons Police Department. After that, Ritz was police chief in Berwyn before taking the job in Willow Springs.
McCarthy will be sworn in at a village board meeting later this month.
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