Lemont Police Chief Named Chief of the Year

LEMONT, IL - Lemont Police Chief Marc Maton has been named Chief of the Year by the Illinois Crime Commission. A banquet honoring ICC winners will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 21 at Drury Lane in Oakbrook.

Before coming to Lemont, Maton retired as a Colonel with the Illinois State Police.

"I'm honored to be chosen by the Illinois Crime Commission," Maton said. "I'm very appreciative."

According to the Illinois Crime Commission, Maton was chosen because of his accomplishments and the work he has done in the past and continues to do. Maton worked as the point person to represent Illinois Chiefs on several important pieces of legislation. He also became a certified police chief by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police in 2015.

The Illinois Crime Commission said Maton has also taught critical incident response classes to 44 sergeants from the Chicago area. In Lemont, he has created a Problem Orient Policing Program.

The ICC said that Maton also helped pilot a new path for treatment for heroin addicts in the Chicago area, and developed a drug disposal plan and capability for area police departments. In the past, Maton has served as co-chair of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police legislative committee; he was on the board and secretary of the Illinois Risk Management Agency Police Chief steering committee; and he was Vice President of the Southwest Central Dispatch and member of the Technology Committee.

Lockport Chief of Police Terry Lemming said Chief Maton is a very talented leader. He noted how before Maton retired from Illinois State Police, he was given the task of rolling out the concealed carry firearms program and given a short time frame and a limited budget.

"The Illinois Rifle Association predicted that the program would not start on time and would be well over budget," Lemming said. "Because of Chief Maton’s administrative, technical and leadership skills, the program began before the deadline and was well under budget."

Lemming added that accomplishments like this are the hallmark of Maton’s career.

"His innovative and forward thinking style greatly benefits the citizens of Lemont," he added.

Photo provided by the village of Lemont.