Year After Gliniewicz Shooting, Local Lawmakers Still Pushing for Law to Deny Pension Benefits to Convicted Spouses

Local lawmakers have been pushing for a new law that, in light of last year's Fox Lake scandal involving Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz and the ongoing question over what type of benefits his widow should receive, would deny pensions to spouses who are charged with a felony in connection with the deceased employee’s service.

• 'GI Joe' Gliniewicz — Fox Lake's Shame 1 Year Later

Earlier this year, Sen. Pamela Althoff, R-McHenry, introduced a law that would have prevented Gliniewicz’s wife, Melodie Gliniewicz, from receiving pension benefits if she was convicted of any criminal wrongdoing, the Daily Herald reports. That bill became stalled in the senate.

But a new effort is now under way. House Bill 6602, filed last week by Rep. David McSweeney, R-Barrington Hill, “provides for the forfeiture of benefits for any person who otherwise would receive a survivor benefit who is convicted of any felony relating to or arising out of or in connection with the service of the member from whom the benefit results.”

That bill, if passed during the November veto session, would not apply to Melodie Gliniewicz, according to the Northwest Herald. But it would cover any similar cases in the future.

Her husband, Charles Joseph Gliniewicz, killed himself on Sept. 1, 2015 in Fox Lake. Gliniewicz made his suicide look like a murder, initially sending authorities on a manhunt for three suspects they thought gunned down the veteran lieutenant. Authorities later learned Gliniewicz killed himself after Fox Lake officials began to uncover his criminal wrongdoings. The officer had been stealing from the Fox Lake Explorer program, which he ran, for years.

Melodie Gliniewicz is charged with conspiracy, personal use of charitable funds, misuse of charitable funds and money laundering in connection with the embezzlement scheme, according to the Daily Herald. Melodie Gliniewicz has entered not guilty pleas and a trial date has been set for November.

• Melodie Gliniewicz Free on Bail Following Grand Jury Indictment on Money Laundering Charges

The decision on whether Melodie is eligible for her late husband’s pension is a tricky one.

Under Illinois law, no pension benefits are given to the family members of police officers convicted of a felony related to their police work but that does not cover Gliniewicz since allegations of his wrongdoings surfaced following his death, the Lake County News Sun reports.

Once Melodie’s trial has wrapped up, the Fox Lake Pension Board is expected to rule on the widow’s pension, according to the Northwest Herald. Melodie could receive up to 75 percent of Gliniewicz’s $96,000 salary.

More via the Northwest Herald