Paul Klimek shakes hands with Countryside Mayor Sean McDermott after he was sworn in as police chief during the May 24 city council meeting. (Photo by Steve Metsch)
Klimek promoted to police chief in Countryside
By Steve Metsch
That didn’t take long.
Just two weeks after he was named acting police chief, Paul Klimek was officially named police chief by a unanimous vote of the Countryside City Council on May 24.
Klimek, 42, had been with the department since 2004 and replaces Joe Ford, who retired earlier this month after 10 years on the job.
“It means a lot (to me). It’s a great community, we have a great police department and I think it’s an honor to work here and serve this community,” Klimek said.
Becoming police chief has been a goal of his.
“It’s something I’ve worked hard at over the years. Lot of training and education. I’m very fortunate I had Chief (Joe) Ford here to mentor me for 10 years.”
“Huge impact. I can’t say enough good about Chief Ford. He’s a great leader and a great mentor over the years. He taught me a lot,” Klimek said.
As police chief, Klimek said he wants to put “a great emphasis on training our officers.”
“There’s a lot of mandates and expectations on us. I want to put a lot of effort in training and make sure they’re the best officers,” Klimek said.
“We’re very fortunate. We’ve been at full staffing. Chief Ford left, now we have one opening and we hope to get that filled,” Klimek said.
At the same meeting, Patrol Commander James Stern was named Deputy Chief of Police, taking the office that Klimek had held.
Stern, 43, has been with the department for 16 years.
“It’s a great community. We’ve been fortunate to work with a lot of great leaders, and we hope to carry on that same tradition,” Stern said.
Ald. John Von Drasek (2nd) said he often hears from residents regarding the city’s police department.
“We get so many compliments for our police department from the top all the way down. Proud to work with you guys and keep up the good work. Thank you,” Von Drasek said.
In other business:
- City Administrator Gail Paul, with the city for 16 years, was sworn in by Mayor Sean McDermott.
- Elizabeth Saucedo, 10 years with the city, was promoted to the position of Deputy Clerk.
- Mary Lou Pisone and Michael Wilson were re-appointed to Fire and Police Commission.
Local News
Dogs had their day at alderman’s office
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . Who let the dogs out? Who, who, who let the dogs out? Twenty-third Ward Ald. Silvana Tabares let the dogs in, at her office on 63rd Street. Our Oliver was one of the…
Yule decorations light the way to Christmas
Spread the love. By Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . Today (Dec. 1) is National Eat a Red Apple Day. Apples are a superfood. Eating them will reduce your chance of developing diabetes, heart disease and cancer. They are good for digestion and even improve brain health. Organic apples are…
Catholic schools dilemma
Spread the love. After loss in Springfield, advocates search for a Plan B . By Tim Hadac After a clear defeat in Springfield earlier this month, supporters of the state’s Invest in Kids scholarship program—which includes a number of Catholic school parents on the Southwest Side—are searching for a Plan B. “What we do at…
Tommy Fitz, truly a good man
Spread the love. By Tim Hadac Editor Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound . The obituary said Thomas M. Fitzgerald. But to me, it was almost like it was referring to someone else, if only because I—like so many others in Clearing and Garfield Ridge–knew him as Tommy Fitz. He died suddenly, unexpectedly, on Nov. 15 at…
Mount Carmel beats Downers Grove North for 15th state title
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Mount Carmel’s plan was to open and close the season in Normal. They wanted to open the 2023 campaign by beating then-nationally ranked East St. Louis in a neutral-site game at Hancock Stadium at Illinois State University, then return 13 weeks later and a win a state championship.…
Cold Turkey Trotting | Young runners heat up Orland Park race held in freezing temps
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The temperature may have been freezing, but the winners were not complaining. The 35th Orland Park Turkey Trot, held per tradition on Thanksgiving, started in 30-degree weather. And the young champs embraced it. Jack Krusinski, 16, of Palos Heights, won the 2.5 mile event with a time of…
Area Sports Roundup | Cougars get revenge on Marian, earn date with top seed
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The Saint Xavier defense made sure to get some revenge for a couple of losses in recent years to Marian University. The Cougars racked up 10 sacks, 15 tackles for losses, three forced fumbles and two interceptions in a 31-21 victory over Marian in the second round of…
Girls Hoops | St. Laurence stages huge comeback to win Beecher Tourney
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer This is not the way to start a championship game. But it’s a pretty good way to finish it. St. Laurence fell behind Rich Township, 19-0, in the Beecher Fall Classic final on Nov. 22. While it could have been easy for rookie coach Claire Austin and her…
Bedford Park officer shot Sunday morning
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong A Bedford Park police officer was in stable condition Sunday after he was shot while investigating a stolen car near the Speedway station at 6800 S. Archer Avenue. Police were responding to reports of a nearby car crash about 3:40 a.m. Police said a car reported stolen in a carjacking…
Property assessments released for Worth Township
Spread the loveCook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi last week released the initial assessments of residential and commercial properties in Worth Township. “I strongly encourage property owners to review their reassessment notice to ensure their property characteristics and market value reflect their home,” said Kaegi. “It is important to understand that assessments in Cook County reflect…
Neighbors
Dogs had their day at alderman’s office
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . Who let the dogs out? Who, who, who let the dogs out? Twenty-third Ward Ald. Silvana Tabares let the dogs in, at her office on 63rd Street. Our Oliver was one of the…
Yule decorations light the way to Christmas
Spread the love. By Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . Today (Dec. 1) is National Eat a Red Apple Day. Apples are a superfood. Eating them will reduce your chance of developing diabetes, heart disease and cancer. They are good for digestion and even improve brain health. Organic apples are…
Catholic schools dilemma
Spread the love. After loss in Springfield, advocates search for a Plan B . By Tim Hadac After a clear defeat in Springfield earlier this month, supporters of the state’s Invest in Kids scholarship program—which includes a number of Catholic school parents on the Southwest Side—are searching for a Plan B. “What we do at…
Tommy Fitz, truly a good man
Spread the love. By Tim Hadac Editor Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound . The obituary said Thomas M. Fitzgerald. But to me, it was almost like it was referring to someone else, if only because I—like so many others in Clearing and Garfield Ridge–knew him as Tommy Fitz. He died suddenly, unexpectedly, on Nov. 15 at…
Mount Carmel beats Downers Grove North for 15th state title
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Mount Carmel’s plan was to open and close the season in Normal. They wanted to open the 2023 campaign by beating then-nationally ranked East St. Louis in a neutral-site game at Hancock Stadium at Illinois State University, then return 13 weeks later and a win a state championship.…
Cold Turkey Trotting | Young runners heat up Orland Park race held in freezing temps
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The temperature may have been freezing, but the winners were not complaining. The 35th Orland Park Turkey Trot, held per tradition on Thanksgiving, started in 30-degree weather. And the young champs embraced it. Jack Krusinski, 16, of Palos Heights, won the 2.5 mile event with a time of…
Area Sports Roundup | Cougars get revenge on Marian, earn date with top seed
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The Saint Xavier defense made sure to get some revenge for a couple of losses in recent years to Marian University. The Cougars racked up 10 sacks, 15 tackles for losses, three forced fumbles and two interceptions in a 31-21 victory over Marian in the second round of…
Girls Hoops | St. Laurence stages huge comeback to win Beecher Tourney
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer This is not the way to start a championship game. But it’s a pretty good way to finish it. St. Laurence fell behind Rich Township, 19-0, in the Beecher Fall Classic final on Nov. 22. While it could have been easy for rookie coach Claire Austin and her…
Bedford Park officer shot Sunday morning
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong A Bedford Park police officer was in stable condition Sunday after he was shot while investigating a stolen car near the Speedway station at 6800 S. Archer Avenue. Police were responding to reports of a nearby car crash about 3:40 a.m. Police said a car reported stolen in a carjacking…
Property assessments released for Worth Township
Spread the loveCook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi last week released the initial assessments of residential and commercial properties in Worth Township. “I strongly encourage property owners to review their reassessment notice to ensure their property characteristics and market value reflect their home,” said Kaegi. “It is important to understand that assessments in Cook County reflect…