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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 S...
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