Biang to step down as Waukegan's top cop

Waukegan police Chief William Biang has announced his retirement from the city's police force after more than 30 years of service.

Biang, who has been with the department since 1978, will step down from the top position on May 4, said Ray Vukovich, director of government services for the city of Waukegan. Biang will utilize vacation time to take off most of the month of April before his retirement,

Vukovich said Deputy Chief Artis Yancey will be named acting police chief by Mayor Richard Hyde when Biang goes on vacation in April.

"It's not a health issue or anything like that," Vukovich said. "It's just a matter of economics. Chief Biang has 30 years of service with the city and has become eligible for the maximum pension possible. So, he's going to take advantage of it and pursue other options available to him."

He said Yancey will hang onto the acting chief title until after the April municipal elections.

The winner of the mayoral election will then be able to name a full-time police chief to replace Biang.