Wheeling swears in Benson as new police chief

In front of their families and a room packed with police officers and firefighters, Bill Benson was sworn in as Wheeling's newest police chief on Monday while John Teevans was sworn in as Wheeling's deputy chief.

Both men have known each other for more than 20 years, since they started working for Wheeling's police department in 1986. Both pledged to serve Wheeling residents and to make a difference.

"Wheeling has been a great police department to work for, and the community support in the past few weeks has been unbelievable," Benson said.

Benson, 46, was Wheeling's first canine officer in 1987 and has also been a detective and sergeant. He grew up on the Northwest Side of Chicago and lives in Lake Zurich with his wife, Cindy, an Illinois State Police lieutenant. Their son Mason, 18, will be a freshman at the University of Missouri, where he will study broadcast journalism.

Teevans was sworn in next to his wife, Mary Ellen, and four children.

"My chief, Bill Benson, is an amazing guy who expects 150 percent of everyone," Teevans said. "He'll get that from me. I will try and serve this community and make a difference."

Benson has been Wheeling's interim police chief since former Wheeling Police Chief John Stone retired on Feb. 26. Stone was at Monday's committee meeting, along with Buffalo Grove Police Chief Steven Balinski and Palatine Deputy Police Chief Brad Grossman.