Womack officially gone as Elgin's top cop

Lisa Womack and the city of Elgin are officially parting ways.

The city released a statement at 4:30 p.m. Thursday indicating the 5-year police chief will resign effective April 9.

"In the short term, the department is in excellent hands with Acting Police Chief Jeff Swoboda," City Manager Sean Stegall wrote in a prepared statement in which he thanked Womack for her service. "The community can expect the same top-notch service from our police department that they have always received."

Stegall said he anticipates announcing how he'll proceed in selecting a new chief no later than April 16.

"Given the importance of this position to the community, I want to give it the attention it requires before making any type of decision," his statement read. "But I'm also very aware that there needs to be a timeline by which people can expect an answer."

Womack, who was set to make $150,678 this year, was placed on paid leave on March 10 after the city council met behind closed doors.

Council members have refused to talk specifically about Womack's performance or departure, saying it's a personnel issue.

Under federal anti-age discrimination law, Womack had 21 days to accept the city's buyout and another seven days after signing it to change her mind.

If she didn't give the city an answer by 5 p.m. April 1, Stegall had the authority to fire her.

Instead, Womack chose to resign and accept a severance package.

The proposed severance agreement, obtained by the Daily Herald through a Freedom of Information Act request, says Womack will receive $75,343.58, which is six months severance pay. She also will cash in 92 hours of unused vacation time, which equates to $6,668. Taxes will be deducted from both sums.

If Womack signs the agreement and does not change her mind by next Friday, April 9, she will give up her future option to sue the city for any reason.

The agreement also provides medical insurance through Sept. 30.

The city council must sign off on the agreement and the earliest it can do that is at its next meeting, Wednesday, April 14, at city hall, 150 Dexter Court, Elgin.

The agreement also states: "Both parties agree and acknowledge that this agreement does not constitute, is not intended to be, and shall not be construed, interpreted, or treated in any respect as an admission of liability of wrongdoing by the city or Ms. Womack."

Womack could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.

No one answered the front door at her Elgin home, which she put up for sale on March 20.

Swoboda has been serving as acting chief of the department, which has 180 sworn officers.

Womack, the city's first female police chief, was hired in August 2005 after a national search.

She began her career at the police department in Arlington, Texas, rising to the rank of deputy chief there by 2001 and also served as chief for Sugar Land, a suburb of Houston with a population of about 85,000 people.

As for how the city should go about finding a new chief, at least two council members - David Kaptain and John Prigge - prefer to look within the department first.

"Sometimes it's nice to bring in new ideas, but at the same time, they don't have to learn the community," Kaptain said. "I think community policing is very important. The next police chief has to realize we have neighborhood groups. We have groups within groups. The police chief has to have a good rapport with neighborhoods and residents."

Prigge believes the city should give employees who want a career in Elgin instead of just a job every opportunity to succeed.

"If we have qualified people in our police department who can assume the role of upper management, do it seamlessly and have the respect of their peers, absolutely (they should be considered). It's good business," Prigge said. "I'm a big fan of homegrown talent."

Prigge also noted that Swoboda has served well as acting chief. He said would like to find the next chief as soon as possible.

"I think the citizens deserve it. I think the men and women of the police department deserve it," he said. "It's important to name somebody as soon as possible, especially with what the city has gone through in the past year with cuts and budgets. This has been a difficult year."

Prigge declined to answer what he believes is the most important quality that the city's next chief must possess.

"I want whoever Sean (Stegall) thinks is best. I trust Sean. He's made excellent decisions so far. He's taken his fair share of heat. All of it's unjustified in my opinion," Prigge said.