Lake Zurich's top cop has new temporary role
Lake Zurich Police Chief Steve Husak will temporarily shift to another side of village government.
Husak will become Lake Zurich's interim village manager while a successor is sought for the departing Jason Slowinski, who's been the top administrator since 2012, officials announced Friday. Slowinski, whose resignation is effective Sept. 1, will become city manager for Golden, Colorado.
When Husak starts as the temporary village manager, Deputy Police Chief Kevin Finlon will lead the department beginning Sept. 1. Husak said the police department will be in good hands while he's interim village manager.
"We won't miss a beat here," Husak said. "And we have a great command staff and supervisors."
Husak, who said he won't be a candidate for the permanent village manager job, came to Lake Zurich in 2014 after spending 25 years with Buffalo Grove police. He worked his way from patrol officer to deputy chief in Buffalo Grove.
As interim village manager, Husak will oversee daily operations until Slowinski's successor is found. Officials said the search may take until year's end.
Mayor Thomas Poynton expressed confidence in Husak, citing the chief's wealth of management experience and a master's degree in public administration he recently received from Northern Illinois University.
"Mr. Husak has the right qualifications to lead the daily operations of municipal (government) until a permanent village manager is selected," Poynton said.
It's not unheard of for a police chief to slide into the village manager's seat in the suburbs.
Gary O'Rourke was Streamwood's police chief and acting village manager from December 1996 to May 2005. He's worked solely as village manager for 10 years until he retired in May.
Former Barrington top cop Jeff Lawler became village manager there in 2009.