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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING EVANSTON POLICE CHIEF SCHENITA STEWART NAMED THE ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (ILACP) POLICE CHIEF OF THE YEAR
WHEREAS, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP) selected Evanston Police Department Chief Schenita Stewart as the 2025 ILACP Police Chief of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Chief Stewart grew up in the City of Evanston’s 5th ward neighborhood with her twin sister Schonella Stewart, who serves as the commander of the Oak Park Police Department, where their lives revolved around their home at 1924 Wesley Ave and other nearby neighborhood locations including the Fleetwood Jourdain Center, Family Focus, and Mt. Zion Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, The Stewart sisters attended Gale School on Howard Street and then attended Evanston Township High School (ETHS); and
WHEREAS, after graduating from ETHS, Chief Stewart earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminology from Illinois State University and her Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Chicago State University; and
WHEREAS, Chief Stewart has been in law enforcement for more than 25 years, starting her career as a patrol officer in Lincolnwood in 1999. It was Chief Stewart’s grandfather, William Stewart, who first suggested that she apply for a position with the Lincolnwood Police Department; and
WHEREAS, Chief Stewart served on the Lincolnwood Police Force for more than 21 years, eventually being appointed Deputy Chief, a position she held from 1999 to 2021. She was the only Black police officer on the force; and
WHEREAS, Chief Stewart then served as Deputy Chief of the East Dundee Police Department; and
WHEREAS, Chief Stewart made history in October 2022 when she was sworn in as Evanston’s first Black female Chief of Police; and
WHEREAS, Chief Stewart has received other accolades since accepting the role of Evanston’s police chief, including Instructor of the Year from The College of DuPage and The Suburban Law Enforcement Academy; and
WHEREAS, Chief Stewart is not only the first woman to receive (ILACP) Police Chief of the Year award, she is the first permanent female police chief to lead the Evanston police department; and
WHEREAS, Chief Stewart’s commitment to officer well-being, transparency, and community engagement has “set a new standard in policing; and
WHEREAS, Chief Stewart has not only made the Evanston police department better but has made the entire Evanston community and the 13th District better due to her leadership, dedication, and many talents; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby celebrate and honor Evanston Police Chief Schenita Stewart for her transformative, inspiring, and visionary leadership, strengthening collaboration and trust, and excellence among officers and the community; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body, and a suitable copy be tendered to Chief Schenita Stewart, the Evanston Police Department and the City of Evanston for her service to the residents of Cook County and in acknowledgement of this honor.
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