With disciplinary hearing looming, suspended Elgin police officer granted disability by pension board

An Elgin police officer on administrative leave and set to face a disciplinary hearing has qualified for a disability pension that he applied for on the day of his suspension.

Officer Jason Lentz was placed on leave Oct. 16, 2025, following comments he made the previous day on Facebook that suggested places where immigration agents could find undocumented immigrants, tagging the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the end of the post.

Lentz, who had been working in a light-duty assignment following an on-duty injury in 2023, applied for a disability pension with the Elgin Police Pension Fund on Oct. 16, the same day he was suspended by Police Chief Ana Lalley.

The Elgin Police Pension Board held a hearing on Lentz’s disability application on Feb. 24 and determined that he qualified for a disability pension following medical evaluations conducted by three physicians selected by the board.

An independent investigation regarding Lentz’s October post was initiated by the city and completed on Jan. 5. Elgin’s Civilian Review Board subsequently recommended that Lentz be fired.

Lentz is scheduled for a predeprivation (disciplinary) hearing on March 10. A news release from the city said Lalley will “determine appropriate disciplinary action based on the investigation findings, the Oct. 15 social media post, and information presented during the hearing.”