Kildeer police chief Rossi leaving for Nevada law enforcement job
Kildeer Police Chief Louis Rossi plans to depart next week for a job in Nevada.
Village officials said Tuesday that retired Lake Zurich Deputy Police Chief John Filantres will step in as interim top cop after Rossi leaves Oct. 12. Kildeer will soon begin a search to find Rossi’s permanent replacement.
Rossi came to Kildeer from Highwood in 2010. Kildeer Mayor Nandia Black complimented Rossi for upgrading the police department and making it more responsive to the village’s needs.
“His knowledge of law enforcement, dedication and friendly personality are wonderful attributes,” Black said. “The (village) board and I wish him well in his new position.”
Village Administrator Michael Talbett said Rossi has a home in Nevada and has accepted a law enforcement job there. Rossi’s most recent base salary in Kildeer was $86,700.
Rossi issued the following statement to the Daily Herald: “As chief of police, it was an honor serving the community of Kildeer and representing a group of fine police officers. The department as a whole has an excellent future,” he said.
In October 2011, eight full-time Kildeer police officers received layoff notices as a result of neighboring Deer Park bolting to the Lake County sheriff’s office coverage. Deer Park Village President Robert Kellerman stated in a letter his town’s analysis showed Kildeer wasn’t quite up to 24-hour-a-day coverage that had been promised by contract.
Talbett said the scheduled search for a permanent chief demonstrates Kildeer’s commitment to keeping a village police department. He said Kildeer has been in transition toward continued operations as a smaller police department.
As for Filantres, he began his law enforcement career as a Lake Zurich police cadet in 1976. He rose through the ranks as patrol officer, sergeant, commander and deputy chief of field operations. Talbett said Filantres has been performing some contract work in Lake Zurich in retirement.