Mount Prospect officially cuts ties with police chief

Mount Prospect has officially severed ties with police chief Tim Janowick.

On Tuesday, the village board approved a voluntary retirement/separation and release agreement without discussion.

The voluntary retirement of the Barrington resident, a 23-year veteran of the force, will be effective no later than March 31, 2018.

On Oct. 2, Village Manager Michael Cassady announced that an agreement was reached in principle to accept Janowick's decision.

Janowick, in a prepared statement, did not disclose the reasons behind his decision. He said the decision was made after "much personal thought and consultation with my family."

Janowick, who was sworn in as chief on June 17, 2014, went on an approved paid administrative leave of absence on July 27. This officially ended on Oct. 3.

Under the agreement, the village agreed to make "salary continuation payments," as if "he were actively working at his normal base salary/rate of pay" through March 31. Cassady said Janowick was making around $150,000.

Janowick will also receive more than $9,800, minus deductions, in accrued vacation and personal days, as well as $900 in longevity pay.

Also, Janowick will continue to receive health insurance benefits through the end of 2017. After that, the village has agreed to pay the COBRA premium through the end of 2018.

However, no contributions will have been made by the village or Janowick to his pension after Oct. 3.

The village also agreed to additional considerations, such as providing a neutral letter of reference.

When asked about the portion of the agreement stating Janowick would receive copies of documents related to "the preliminary investigation of his firearm qualifications," Cassady said, "We never had to do a formal investigation. That's why that was included in there."

Saying he would rather not comment, he said, "It relates to an uncertainty of the weapons qualification."

The village also agreed not to report to the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board "that Janowick's separation decision ... was made by him in lieu of receiving disciplinary action."

Cassady, who called it an amicable separation, said that if Janowick had not voluntarily resigned, "We would have probably needed to work through a very formal investigation. Thankfully, we don't have to go down that path."

He added, "There were issues of concern," without going into detail, although he said morale was an issue in the department.

Mayor Arlene Juracek, following the meeting, said, "I know this was a difficult decision for Tim Janowick. He is not quite at retirement age, but given his circumstances, which he chooses to keep private, as is his right, I think he made the right decision for himself and his family."