Calling all cars - police group looks to grow in 2010

Dan McCollum hopes 2010 will be a year of growth for a new nonprofit that offers hassle-free training and recruitment services to police across the state.

McCollum, a St. Charles resident and police chief in LaGrange Park, was among dozens of suburban police officials this month to join the Illinois Association of Law Enforcement Executives - a professional organization that thrives on veteran cops lending their experience to the next generation.

"There's a tremendous value in learning from people who have walked the walk," he said. "We're going to provide that, and we're going to provide it on a regular basis."

The association launched Dec. 13 with about 100 members. The goal is to grow to 500 by June.

McCollum said the group differs from other professional organizations by having no membership dues or conference fees, and by having retirees among its leaders. Also, sergeants, deputies chiefs, and civilian law-enforcement supervisors can be members.

McCollum said there will be no main office, and clerical tasks will be performed by members and their families to keep expenses low. The organization will provide services, including recruitment, mentoring and training on subjects such as management and interviews, for little or no cost.

"This isn't about making money; it's about veteran leaders wanting to give back to the profession and mentor our future leaders for the many challenges they will face, especially in these tough economic times," McCollum said. "There are hundreds of agencies in the state of Illinois who have less than 25 employees. They simply cannot afford $10,000 to recruit and hire a police chief or conduct promotional testing."

McCollum, a former president of the DuPage County Chiefs of Police and the West Suburban Chiefs of Police, is joined at the helm of the IALEE by former Downers Grove and Lombard police Chief George Graves and former Elgin and South Barrington police Chief Charles Gruber, both past presidents of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police.

To get involved, call (630) 762-0527 or e-mail progressivechiefs@yahoo.com.

Election forum: Candidates running for Kane County judge in the Feb. 2 primary will have a chance to square off next week at a public forum hosted by the Women's Bar Association of the 16th Judicial Circuit.

The event is planned for 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, at Eagle Brook Country Club, 2288 Fargo Blvd., Geneva.

Among those expected to attend are candidates for four local judge races, two of which are contested, and two appellate court races, one of which is contested. Gubernatorial candidates also have been invited, and the bar association said, so far, Republicans Adam Andrzejewski, Bill Brady and Dan Proft have committed to attend.

The forum starts with judicial candidates, with the gubernatorial portion scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. Organizers said the audience can ask questions at the forum or submit them in advance to wbaelectionforum@gmail.com.