Joliet Police Sgt. Bill Otis Remains On Paid Leave: Plainfield Woman's Emergency Order Of Protection Extended

JOLIET, IL — While one of the Joliet Police Department's supervisors remains on paid leave from the force this month, a Will County judge extended an emergency no contact order against Joliet Police Sgt. Bill Otis that began Jan. 13. The civil case against Otis was back before Will County Judge Rolonda Mitchell on Tuesday at the Will County Courthouse.

Ten years ago, Otis was honored by the Joliet Exchange Club as the Joliet Police Department's Officer of the Year for 2016. Then-Chief Brian Benton presented him with the department's highest honor during the organization's annual banquet ceremony.

According to Will County court files, a 29-year-old woman from Plainfield obtained the emergency order of protection against Sgt. Otis, 50, and she's being represented by attorney Chantal Host, who works at one of downtown Joliet's largest law firms, KGG.

As part of the court order against Sgt. Otis, the Plainfield woman's lawyer on Tuesday filed a HIPAA Qualified Protective Order. The document indicates the current parties and their attorneys are authorized to receive, subpoena and transmit "Protected Health Information" to be furnished from Edward Hospital concerning toxicology screening and sexual assault screening, results, and photographs from the Jan. 9 evaluation of the petitioner.

The qualified protective order, according to Tuesday's filing from attorney Host, includes health information, including demographic information relating to the past, present or future physical or mental condition of a person, the provision of care to the person and the payment for care provided to the person.

"All parties must fully comply with all applicable discovery rules, statutes and precedent ... Edwards Hospital is hereby authorized to disclose (Protected Health Information) to the petitioner for the services on January 9, 2026 and results, to all attorneys now of record in this matter or who may become of record in the future of this litigation," the order signed by Judge Mitchell reads.

As for Sgt. Otis, he is being represented in the order of protection case by downtown Joliet criminal defense attorney Daniel Walsh of Law Offices of Daniel M. Walsh. According to Tuesday's court filings, Judge Mitchell has extended the Plainfield woman's emergency civil no contact order against Sgt. Otis until March 12 at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 603.

Two weeks ago, the Joliet Police Department issued a statement confirming that Sergeant Otis was placed on administrative leave that week. Otis worked as a patrol sergeant for his current assignment. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in April 2023.

"On January 10, 2026, the Joliet Police Department was made aware of allegations involving Sgt. Otis. The matter is being investigated by an independent agency, the Will Grundy Major Crimes Task Force. This is an open and ongoing investigation," Joliet Chief of Police Bill Evans announced. "The Joliet Police Department is cooperating fully with the Task Force and, due to the active nature of the investigation, cannot release additional information.

“It is the Joliet Police Department’s priority that our members are held accountable for their actions, as accountability reinforces both the legitimacy of our agency and the safety of our community. We will continue to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and remain focused on our mission to protect and serve the citizens of Joliet."

Joliet Patch has left a voicemail message seeking comment on Otis' case and his job status at the Joliet Police Department with Walsh.