Island Lake police controversy could be resolved

A simmering controversy regarding promotions in Island Lake's police department could soon be resolved.

Two officers who have been serving as temporary sergeants since September are in line to be fully promoted to the posts.

Nick Deuter and Garrett Schmoeller already had been sergeants for a few years, but this fall officials discovered they and another sergeant had been promoted improperly.

None of the three officers were appointed to the posts by the village fire and police commission, as required by law, village documents indicate.

The third sergeant, David Walz, subsequently was promoted to deputy chief.

Rather than demoting Deuter and Schmoeller, village officials allowed them to keep their ranks temporarily, retest for their jobs and be placed on a candidate list.

Deuter now tops the eligibility list, followed by Schmoeller, fire and police commission member Debra Jenkins told the Daily Herald.

On Thursday, the village board declared two sergeant's positions are vacant and passed the task of filling the slots to the police commission.

As the top two candidates, Deuter and Schmoeller are in line for the jobs.

Neither Deuter nor Schmoeller attended the meeting.

The board approved the creation of the vacancies with a 5-1 vote after little discussion. Trustee Thea Morris cast the lone "no" vote without explanation.

Jenkins expects the commission will approve the promotions by Jan. 7.

Walz's promotion to deputy chief isn't affected.