Louis Alessandrini Sworn In As New Lenox Police Chief

NEW LENOX, IL — Louis Alessandrini has been sworn in as the new Police Chief for the New Lenox Police Department after Chief April DiSandro's retirement. Alessandrini, who was serving as Deputy Chief, was sworn in as Police Chief at Monday's New Lenox Village Board meeting.

DiSandro, who was sworn in as Police Chief earlier this year, retired after 30 years of service in the New Lenox Police Department.

At Monday's meeting, Mayor Tim Baldermann shared details of Alessandrini's career and background.

Baldermann said Alessandrini was born and raised in Chicago Heights and graduated from Bloom High School. He attended Rosary College (now Dominican University) and started his career in law enforcement with the Chicago Heights Police Department in 1992 as a desk clerk and 911 operator. He was hired as a police officer in 1995 by Chicago Heights and went to the Chicago Police Academy. He later served as a patrol officer, community policing officer, special operations team member, evidence technician and investigator.

"We were fortunate enough, in 2000, to hire Louis," Baldermann said. "He very quickly, of course, with his vast experience in Chicago Heights and what he was able to show our department administration, became an investigator in 2001."

Alessandrini was then promoted to sergeant in 2010, and promoted to deputy chief in 2017. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy in 2017, and completed Northwestern University's Public Safety Executive Management program in 2020, Baldermann said.

Alessandrini and his wife Susan have four children.

"He is a man of great integrity," Baldermann said. "When we put people in these positions, we are not looking for 'yes men' or 'yes women.' We are looking for people who are respectful, of course; but we're looking for people, whether it's our village administrator or anyone else that's in an administrative position, somebody that will close the door and give it to you straight."

"Louis is an excellent police officer," Baldermann said. "He has been a great example for those that he serves with."