Board of Fire and Police Commissioners approves fire promotions, new hire list and multiple conditional police | TheCommon

Summary

Board of Fire and Police Commissioners approves fire promotions, new hire list and multiple conditional police hires; two hiring motions fail

JolietMar 18, 20262 min read

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At the March 18, 2026 special meeting the Board approved fire promotions (Captain and Lieutenant), approved the Fire Department 2026–2028 new hire eligibility list, voted on multiple conditional police hires (several approved, two failed), and convened a closed session to discuss specific personnel.

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Board of Fire and Police Commissioners

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LaborPublic Safety

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Key decisions

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Approved minutes of the Board of Fire & Police Commissioners meetings held February 9, 2026 and March 9, 2026.
Secretary's report: Darin Van Patter was removed from Police Certified Lateral List #9 for failure to meet requirements on February 18, 2026.
Approved promotion of Rick Netcel (Lieutenant to Captain).
Approved promotion of Cory Brenczewki (Apparatus Operator to Lieutenant).
Approved the Joliet Fire Department 2026–2028 New Hire Eligibility List.
Entered closed session to discuss specific personnel (5 ILCS 5/120/2(c)(1)).
Approved conditional hiring of entry-level police applicants: #44 Austin Thompson; #64 Jose Hernandez; #66 Terry Alexander; #75 Symphony Campbell; #88 Ma-Teejenal Smith (all pending successful completion of vision/medical exams as noted).
Approved conditional hiring of certified lateral applicants: #5 Alicia Headrick and #8 Brenden A'Hearn (pending vision/medical exams as noted).
Failed to approve conditional hiring of entry-level applicant #70 Leroy Munoz Jr.
Failed to approve conditional hiring of certified lateral applicant #3 David Benes.
Adjourned the meeting at approximately 5:59 p.m.

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Meeting information

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Board of Fire and Police Commissioners

Mar 18, 2026, 12:00 AMCity Hall, Council Chambersscheduled

SPECIAL MEETING

Agenda

Citizens who are unable to attend the meeting can email comments in advance of the meeting to publiccomment@joliet.gov.
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Minutes: Board of Fire & Police Commissioners Meeting - February 9, 2026 Board of Fire & Police Commissioners Meeting - March 9, 2026
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS
This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Commission members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
CLOSED SESSION
JOLIET FIRE DEPARTMENT - AGENDA ITEMS
Joliet Fire Department - Promotion to Captain: Rick Netcel - Lieutenant to Captain
Joliet Fire Department - Promotion to Lieutenant: Cory Brenczewki - Apparatus Operator to Lieutenant
Hiring of Joliet Patrol Officers
Joliet Fire Department 2026-2028 New Hire Eligibility List Approval
NEW OR OLD BUSINESS, NOT FOR FINAL ACTION OR RECOMMENDATION
PUBLIC COMMENT
This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding non-agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Commission members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak.
ADJOURNMENT
This meeting will be held in an accessible location. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact The City Clerk Office, 150 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432 at (815) 724-3780.
JOLIET POLICE DEPARTMENT - AGENDA ITEM
ALSO PRESENT: Fire Chief Jeff Carey, Police Chief Bill Evans, Deputy Chief John Stachelski, Deputy Chief Blackburn, Deputy Chief Brown, Deputy Chief, and Assistant Corporation Counsel Deanna Donnelly.
Approval of Minutes: Board of Fire & Police Commissioners Meeting - February 9, 2026 Board of Fire & Police Commissioners Meeting - March 9, 2026
Hiring of Joliet Patrol Officers
Hiring of Joliet Patrol Officers
Hiring of Joliet Patrol Officers
Hiring of Joliet Patrol Officers
Hiring of Joliet Patrol Officers
Hiring of Joliet Patrol Officers
Hiring of Joliet Patrol Officers
Hiring of Joliet Patrol Officers
A motion was made by Tom Ponce, seconded by Pat Strocchia, to reconvene the meeting at approximately s5:53 with Commissioners: Quinn Adamowski, John Stefanski, Tom Ponce and Pat Strocchia present and Natalie Coleman absent.

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