Island Lake police chief is recovering after aneurysm

Island Lake Police Chief Don Bero continues to recover from an apparent brain aneurysm last month, officials said Thursday.

Bero has been released from the hospital where he was being treated since the Feb. 9 emergency and now is in a suburban rehabilitation center, acting Chief David Walz told the Daily Herald.

"I talked to him today and visited him," Walz said. "He's doing a lot better."

Bero, 67, is speaking and walking, Walz said.

Bero collapsed at his Wauconda home Feb. 9. He was discovered by police officers after a neighbor who was concerned about an open door called authorities.

Bero initially was taken by ambulance to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital near Lake Barrington. He was quickly flown by emergency helicopter to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, where he remained until about a week ago, Walz said.

When village officials were interviewed about Bero's health in the days immediately after his collapse, the prognosis was dire. But that's changed.

"He's surprised everybody," Walz said. "He continues to recover, and we should be patient about it."

Bero has been Island Lake's police chief since May 2013.

It's his second stint on the job. He also was chief from 2003 to 2005.

On Thursday, the village board was expected to approve continuing to pay Bero during his medical leave.