City Manager Appointed To Statewide Police Training Board

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — City Manager Ghida Neukirch is among the newest members of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the appointment of Neukirch and four others to the board, which oversees and certifies police training programs. They are his first appointments to the board.

Neukirch told Patch she was "humbled and honored" upon learning of the appointment Monday.

"I look forward to being part of this important Board that establishes and a high level of professional standards for law enforcement and correctional officers," Neukirch said in an email. "I believe the Board has been successful and I look forward to being part of the continued work efforts as we establish training and standards for the professionals entrusted to enforce their laws in a fair and equitable manner."

Neukirch, who immigrated to the United States from Lebanon as a child in 1976, has spent over 27 years working in local government, including time in Buffalo Grove and Niles before becoming the first woman to serve as city manager in Highland Park in 2014.

A release from the governor's office said Neukirch is "dedicated to promoting inclusivity and fairness for all." It also noted that Neukirch has balanced eight consecutive city budgets, made sure the city maintains the highest bond rating available, oversaw the reaccreditation of the city's public safety departments, the reconstruction of the city's water plant and the consolidation of the Highwood Fire Department.

The board consists of 18 members. Six are appointed or elected statewide or Chicago area officeholders, according to state law. The other 12 are appointed by the governor to three-year terms, and they must include two elected municipal leaders, two sheriffs from outside Cook County, two city or village managers, two police chiefs, a member of a statewide sheriffs' association and a member a statewide chiefs' association.

The other appointees include Richton Park Police Chief Elvia Williams, Oak Park Police Chief LaDon Reynolds and Hazel Crest Police Chief Mitchel Davis and McHenry County Undersheriff Ricardo Pagán.

The term of one member of the board, Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason, expired in August 2019. He continues to serve because a replacement has yet to be appointed. The terms of six other board members are due to expire in August 2020.

The governor's office is "continuing to review and identify qualified members for the expired terms," Pritzker spokesperson Jordan Abudayyeh told Patch.

In addition to regulating training programs used by local law enforcement, the board also reimburses agencies and regional training units for a portion of their training costs and reviews and approves applicants, according to the board's website.

Neukirch and the other new board members are expected to attend the board's quarterly meeting by videoconference Thursday.