Forget ‘interim’ label ‒ Jason Seeley sworn in as Mundelein’s police chief

It’s “interim police chief’ no more for Mundelein’s Jason Seeley.

Seeley, who’s been leading the department since July 2023, was officially named the top cop Monday night by a unanimous village board vote. He promptly recited the oath of office with help from Clerk Karen Walsh and received a chief’s star for his uniform from his wife, Kim.

A member of the department since starting as a patrol officer in 1999, Seeley rose through the ranks over the years and succeeded Chief John Monahan in July on an interim basis. He previously had been serving as deputy chief.

Mayor Steve Lentz sounded impressed with Seeley’s work in the big chair so far.

“In the last five-and-a-half months, he has done just an outstanding job and more than (proved) himself as the great leader we need to run the Mundelein Police Department,“ Lentz said.

Village Manager Eric Guenther, himself a former police chief in Mundelein, also praised Seeley on Monday, saying he’s capable of “taking this department to the next level.”

To help him acclimate to the role, Seeley was mentored on the job by former Gurnee Police Chief Kevin Woodside.

After reciting his oath and getting his star, Seeley received applause from village officials and the audience in the boardroom, which included several uniformed police officers.

The new title was effective immediately.