Former Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy is eager to lead the Willow Springs police. (Photos by Steve Metsch)
‘Put me back in, Coach’ – McCarthy eager to return to law enforcement
By Steve Metsch
Garry McCarthy compared the blockbuster news of his return to policing to that of an athlete itching to get back on the field.
“Put me back in, Coach,” the former college athlete and Chicago Police Superintendent said Thursday morning.
McCarthy, 62, is six years removed from working in law enforcement. He spoke of his new job during a news conference at the Willow Springs Village Hall.
McCarthy was removed from his life’s passion when he was forced out by then Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel in November 2015, after his handling of the Laquan McDonald shooting death by a police officer.
After an unsuccessful run for mayor of Chicago, McCarthy had been content raising a young son at home.
However, an unlikely turn of events – “my neck hurts from my head spinning,” he joked – led to McCarthy taking the reins in Willow Springs.
It was an easy decision for McCarthy.
“This is what I do for a living,” he said. “Policing is not a job. It’s a calling. Having an opportunity to do something positive, to make a difference, at a time like this is critical.”
“I’m relatively well thought of in police circles and I think I’m going to do okay, have an impact,” McCarthy said.
News of his imminent hiring spread quickly Wednesday and his cell phone lit up with 150 to 200 text messages. The village had hoped to introduce McCarthy as chief next week.
McCarthy replaces Jim Ritz, who had been police chief more than three years. Ritz submitted his letter of resignation Monday.
Mayor Melissa Neddermeyer and Village Administrator Ryan Grace both declined to discuss why Ritz resigned.
Ritz did not respond to a message sent to his Facebook page.
The mayor said the village sought “a leader with experience, knowledge and professionalism to continue to move our department forward.”
Neddermeyer said she was “quite surprised” when Grace told her McCarthy was interested in the job.
McCarthy will review current procedures “to ensure we are following the best practices … and we are providing the safest environment for our officers,” Neddermeyer said.
Grace said he reached out to McCarthy through a mutual acquaintance. They talked. McCarthy liked what he heard.
McCarthy, whose first day on duty will be Monday, is eager to get busy.
“It’s funny. You never know where you going to end up,” said McCarthy who worked in New York City and Newark, NJ, before moving to Chicago where he was superintendent from 2011 to 2015.
“You just can’t predict how these things are going to happen,” McCarthy said.
“Timing is everything in life. Also, a little bit of luck always helps. The timing is perfect,” McCarthy said.
“I couldn’t be happier to be here at this place and time,” McCarthy said, noting “it’s pretty clear (what law enforcement is doing) is not working.”
“The bottom line is it’s time for a shift,” he said. “I can’t wait to get back into the game. Put me back in, Coach.”
Being in a small community after leading a force of 13,000 Chicago police officers is not that much a change, he said.
“The scale is almost irrelevant. … Police work is police work,” he said. “There’s a move to go from warriors to guardians.”
McCarthy, pleased to see his first name spelled correctly on the front door of village hall, said he just bought a house in Chicago and will not move into the village.
McCarthy, who was a football linebacker and a baseball first basemen/outfielder at Albany State University, said his 5-year-old son keeps he and his wife busy at home. He has two sons, ages 35 and 31, from his first marriage.
The interim job is for six months during which the village will seek a permanent chief. If interested, McCarthy could be a candidate for the full-time job, Neddermeyer said.
Village Trustee Fred Posch thinks McCarthy’s knowledge will help: “We’re looking for guidance and I think he’ll be a good man for it.”
Lyons Police Chief Thomas Herion, who attended the news conference, said McCarthy brings “trust, integrity (and) honor.”
“He has tremendous contacts in law enforcement (and the) state’s attorney’s office,” Herion said. “It’s a win-win for everybody.”
Formerly with the Chicago Police Department, Herion said he sat on a public safety committee with McCarthy.
“He always came across as a very honorable, hardworking guy.”
Herion noted that murders in Chicago plunged from 800-some to 400-some in McCarthy’s last year there.
“Now, we’re at 800 again. You talk about methods of operation, Garry used to comment that we’re not arresting everyone, we’re arresting the right people.
“That’s how you reduce crime, arrested the individuals who are creating victims,” Herion said. “I will be picking his brain on ideas.”
Also attending was McCook Mayor Terrence Carr.
“This is like bringing Babe Ruth to the tee-ball game,” Carr said.
Local News
It’s (pizza) party time at OLS
Spread the love. Third graders at Our Lady of the Snows School break into cheers as they learn they’ve won a pizza party for selling more raffle booklets than any other class. The recent Grand Raffle fundraiser brought in about $6,000. Parents looking for a grade school for their sons and daughters for 2024-25 are…
Dart wants free mental health care for first responders
Spread the love. From staff reports The Illinois Senate has passed legislation proposed by Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart that eliminates out-of-pocket expenses for first responders seeking mental health treatment. “We ask first responders to be constantly exposed to traumatic and dangerous situations to protect us,” Dart said. “This legislation is a solid step…
Volunteers give Palos Heights a spring cleaning
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Palos Heights works hard to keep its city beautiful. Gathering residents together for a day of cleaning and fun was the Palos Heights Green Team with a Clean Up Day on April 13. “This event invited everyone in our community to do their part in combating pollution by having a…
Hunt man who tried to rob Chase Bank
Spread the love. FBI looking for tips from public . From staff reports FBI officials are appealing to the public for help in finding a man who attempted to rob a Southwest Side bank branch. The bandit tried to rob the Chase Bank branch at 5687 S. Archer (just west of Laramie) at about 11…
Casten lauds Biden for ‘clean energy’ move
Spread the love. From staff reports A move designed to spur the responsible development of clean energy on America’s public lands was recently lauded by U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-6th). The congressman, co-chairman of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Clean Energy Deployment Task Force, joined by co-chairman Mike Levin (D-Calif.), released a…
E-Notary makes things easier, Giannoulias says
Spread the love. From staff reports Illinois residents will no longer have to notarize documents in person under a new Electronic-Notary system administered by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ office. Electronic Notarization, or “E-Notary,” will radically change the way people and use notary services, Giannoulias predicted. Without leaving the home or office, an individual or…
Oak Lawn honor Fire and Public Safety Contest winners
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle The Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce presented awards to the winners of the 2023 Fire and Public Safety Coloring Book Contest at the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting on April 9. Fire Bureau Chief David Wheeler and Police Chief Daniel Vittoro were on hand to present the plaques, along with Oak…
Rashid scolds TV news orgs on climate change
Spread the love. From staff reports State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid (D-21st) recently scolded major news organizations for what he called a lack of attention to climate change. “Last year was marked by alarming climate extremes, from record-breaking heat waves to devastating floods, droughts and wildfires,” Rashid wrote earlier this month in a letter to his…
Comings & Goings: Ross to replace Walt’s at Tinley Park Plaza
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong When Walt’s Foods closed its Tinley Park location almost three years ago, it left a giant hole in the Tinley Park Plaza near 159th Street and Harlem Avenue. That hole will soon be filled with a new 22,000-square-foot Ross Dress for Less store and a 9,800-square-foot Five Below store. A…
SD122 celebrates end of Ramadan at Simmons Middle School
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam As Ramadan was drawing to a close for Muslims worldwide, District 122’s Superintendent Joseph Matise, Oak Lawn Community High School’s Muslim Students Association club, and the district’s Parents Committee came together to create history. They hosted the first-ever Iftar dinner at Simmons Middle School on April 8, a significant event…
Neighbors
Oak Lawn trustee says village needs state grocery tax
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle An Oak Lawn trustee said that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposal to eliminate the state’s grocery tax will be costly for the village. Trustee William “Bud” Stalker (5th), accompanied by Mayor Terry Vorderer, recently returned from a fact-finding trip to Springfield where they learned more about the governor’s proposal to eliminate…
Palos Heights recognizes volunteers
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Palos Heights handed out awards last week recognizing the services provided by volunteers through the years. The proclamations, which were read aloud during the city council meeting April 16, were a testament to the city’s volunteers and were handed out as part of Volunteer Recognition Week. Volunteers were cited for…
Boys Volleyball | Richards weathering struggles after run of success
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent After a tough weekend at the Smack Attack tournament, Richards got back into the win column with a two-set victory over Eisenhower in a South Suburban Red match. The Bulldogs made quick work of the Cardinals, winning 25-16, 25-15 on April 23 in Oak Lawn to snap a five-match…
SD218 puts on annual Arts Extravaganza
Spread the loveBy Kelly White The arts have become a major portion of the curriculum Community High School District 218. Showcasing those many talents, the Friends of CHSD 218’s Education Foundation proudly hosted its 15th annual Arts Extravaganza on April 5 at Eisenhower High School in Blue Island. “The Arts Extravaganza is a great event…
Gaming licenses to be tougher to get in Orland Park
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva It’s going to take longer to receive gaming licenses in Orland Park. The village board passed an ordinance April 15 that would allow table service businesses open at least 36 consecutive months to apply rather than the previous 18 months, and extended the probationary period to 18 months instead of…
Palos Park passes $16 million budget
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva The Palos Park Village Council approved the 2024-25 budget, which totals a little more than $16.3 million at the April 22 village council meeting. According to village documents, it represented an increase of a shade over $603,000 from last year. The village is expecting $13.4 million in revenue and $1.86…
Fire damages Al Bahaar Restaurant in Orland Park
Spread the loveFrom staff reports Orland Fire Protection District firefighters responded to a fire Monday evening at the Al Bahaar Restaurant, 39 Orland Square Dr. At first, restaurant owners suspected the fire alarm was triggered by a malfunction, but as firefighters inspected the restaurant to reset the fire alarm, they detected a burning smell. “What…
Year of growth | Evergreen Park enjoying inaugural boys volleyball season
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent After almost 70 years of existence as a high school, Evergreen Park finally has a boys volleyball team. The Mustangs are playing their inaugural season with a junior varsity squad, with some matches being played at the varsity level. Head coach Brian Zofkie is leading this group with assistant…
‘Brazen and cowardly’: Police, community outraged by officer’s slaying
Spread the love. By Tim Hadac Police and others across the Southwest Side reacted with outrage this week over the slaying of a Chicago Police officer in the early morning hours on Sunday. Officer Luis M. Huesca was shot to death on the street in the 3100 block of West 56th Street at 2:53 a.m.…