OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Joliet Board of Fire and Police Commissioners Special Meeting - March 18, 2026

Meeting Portal — Wednesday, March 18, 2026
BodyJoliet, Illinois
SessionMeeting Portal
DateWednesday, March 18, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:02

Good evening.

0:03

I will call to order the City of Joliet Board of Fire and Police Commissioners meeting.

0:09

Today is Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.

0:16

Roll call, please.

0:17

Chairman Adamowski.

0:18

Here.

0:19

Commissioner Strocha.

0:20

Here.

0:20

Commissioner Potts.

0:21

Here.

0:22

And Commissioner Stefansky present.

0:24

Okay, we do have a quorum.

0:25

First up on the agenda is approval of minutes.

0:28

We have two sets of minutes.

0:30

First is the minutes from February 9th, 2026.

0:35

Is there a motion to approve the minutes from February 9th?

0:39

Motion.

0:40

Second.

0:40

Roll call, please.

0:42

Chairman Adamowski.

0:44

Aye.

0:44

Commissioner Strocha.

0:46

Aye.

0:46

Commissioner Potts.

0:47

Aye.

0:47

And Commissioner Stefansky.

0:49

Aye.

0:49

Motion carries.

0:51

Next up are the minutes from March 9th, 2026.

0:54

Is there a motion to approve said minutes?

0:58

Motion.

0:59

Second.

1:00

Roll call, please.

1:01

Chairman Adamowski.

1:02

Aye.

1:03

And Commissioner Strocha.

1:04

Aye.

1:04

Commissioner Potts.

1:05

Aye.

1:06

Commissioner Stafonski.

1:07

Aye.

1:08

Motion carries.

1:10

Next on the agenda is citizens to be heard on agenda items.

1:14

Would anybody like to approach the board?

1:17

Seeing none, we'll move on to a secretary's report.

1:20

Do we have a report?

1:21

We have one item to report.

1:23

That is police certified lateral list.

1:27

Number nine.

1:29

Applicant number nine, Darren Van Padder was removed for failure to meet requirements on February 18th of 26.

1:36

That would conclude the Secretary's report.

1:38

Thank you, sir.

1:40

Next up is Joliet Fire Department promotions.

1:46

Chief.

1:55

Good afternoon, board.

1:56

We have uh two promotions this afternoon for the retirement of Captain Ballard.

2:00

Uh the first up, we have uh Lieutenant Richard Netzel for being promoted to captain.

2:07

I've reviewed Lieutenant Netzel's personnel file and found no reason for him not to be promoted to captain.

2:13

Is there a motion to approve the promotion of Rick Netzel from Lieutenant to Captain?

2:18

Motion Second Roll call, please.

2:20

Chairman Adamowski.

2:22

Aye.

2:22

Commissioner Strocha.

2:23

Aye.

2:24

Commissioner Potts.

2:25

Aye.

2:25

And Commissioner Stefonsky, aye.

2:27

Motion carries.

2:28

Congratulations, Captain Netzel.

2:34

He's busy.

2:35

All right.

2:35

To fill Lieutenant Netzel's spot.

2:38

We uh next up will be Cory Broncheski.

2:41

We have reviewed apparatus operator Cory Bruncheski's personnel file and found no reason for him not to be promoted to lieutenant.

2:48

Sir motion to approve the promotion of apparatus operator Broncheski to Lieutenant Broncheski.

2:54

Motion that second roll call, please.

2:57

Chairman Adamowski.

2:58

Aye.

2:59

Commissioner Strocha.

3:00

Aye.

3:01

Commissioner Potts.

3:02

Aye.

3:02

And Commissioner Stefansky, aye.

3:04

Motion carries.

3:05

Congratulations, Lieutenant Brzewski.

3:12

Um next up under Joliet Fire Department agenda items is the Joliet Fire Department 2026 through 2028.

3:21

New higher eligibility list.

3:24

Sir, motion to approve said list.

3:26

I'll motion that.

3:27

Second.

3:28

Roll call, please.

3:29

Chairman Adamowski.

3:30

Aye.

3:31

Commissioner Strocha.

3:32

Aye.

3:32

Commissioner Potts.

3:33

Aye.

3:33

And Commissioner Stafansky.

3:35

Aye.

3:35

Motion carries.

3:37

We now have an agility list.

3:38

Congratulations.

3:39

I still agree.

3:41

Okay.

3:41

Next up is closed session to discuss the hiring of Joliet Police Department candidates.

3:49

Sir motion to go into closed session.

3:52

Motion.

3:53

Second.

3:53

Roll call.

3:54

Chairman Adamowski.

3:56

Aye.

3:56

Commissioner Strocha.

3:58

Aye.

3:58

Commissioner Potts.

3:59

Aye.

3:59

Commissioner Stafonsky.

4:00

Aye.

4:01

Motion carries.

4:02

We will now go to closed session.

4:14

Okay.

4:28

I need a motion to come back into open session of the City of Joliet Board of Fire and Police Commissioners meeting.

4:35

Wednesday, March 18th, 2026.

4:38

It is currently 5 53 p.m.

4:40

Motion.

4:41

Second.

4:42

Roll call, please.

4:43

Chairman Adamowski.

4:44

Aye.

4:45

Commissioner Strocha.

4:46

Aye.

4:46

Commissioner Potts.

4:47

Aye.

4:47

And Commissioner Stafonsky.

4:49

Aye.

4:49

Motion carries.

4:50

We are now back in open session.

4:53

We were just in closed session to discuss hiring of police department officials.

5:00

Tonight we have hiring off of two lists.

5:04

One is for our entry level applicants, and the other list is for lateral applicants.

5:10

We will start this evening with approval of the entry level applicants.

5:16

Is there a motion to approve the hire of candidate number 44, Austin Thompson to the Joliet Police Department?

5:25

Motion.

5:26

Second.

5:26

Roll call, please.

5:27

Chairman Adamowski.

5:28

Aye.

5:29

Commissioner Strocha.

5:30

Aye.

5:31

Commissioner Potts.

5:32

Aye.

5:32

And Commissioner Stefansky, aye.

5:34

Motion carries.

5:36

Very good.

5:37

Applicant number 44, Austin Thompson is uh contingently hired.

5:43

Uh pending successful completion of his vision and physical exams.

5:50

Next is candidate number 64, Jose Hernandez.

5:54

Is there a motion to approve the hiring of Jose Hernandez to the Joliet Police Department?

6:00

Motion Second.

6:01

Roll call, please.

6:02

Chairman Adamowski.

6:04

Aye.

6:05

Uh Commissioner Strocha.

6:07

Aye.

6:07

Commissioner Potts.

6:08

Aye.

6:08

And Commissioner Stefansky.

6:10

Aye.

6:10

Motion carries.

6:12

Very good.

6:12

Applicant number sixty four is contingently hired.

6:16

Jose Hernandez to the Juliet Police Department.

6:20

Pending his successful completion of a vision and a physical exam.

6:25

Next for consideration is candidate number sixty-six, Terry Alexander.

6:29

Is there a motion to approve the hiring of Terry Alexander to the Joliet Police Department?

6:34

Motion.

6:35

Second.

6:35

Roll call.

6:36

Chairman Adamowski.

6:37

Aye.

6:38

Commissioner Strocha.

6:39

Aye.

6:39

Commissioner Potts.

6:40

Aye.

6:40

And Commissioner Stafansky.

6:42

Aye.

6:42

Motion carries.

6:44

Applicant number sixty six, Terry Alexander.

6:47

Is conditionally hired to the Juile Police Department pending his successful completion of a vision exam and a physical exam.

6:58

Next is candidate number seventy, Leroy Munez Jr.

7:03

Is there a motion to approve the hiring of Leroy Munoz Jr.

7:06

to the Joliet Police Department?

7:09

Motion.

7:12

We have first.

7:13

Second.

7:14

Second.

7:15

Second.

7:15

Roll call, please.

7:17

Chairman Adamowski.

7:18

No.

7:20

Commissioner Strocha.

7:21

No.

7:22

Commissioner Potts?

7:23

No.

7:23

And Commissioner Stafonsky.

7:25

No.

7:27

Next up is candidate number 75, Symphony Campbell.

7:31

Is there a motion to approve the hiring of Symphony Campbell to the Joliet Police Department?

7:36

Motion.

7:36

Second.

7:37

Roll call, please.

7:38

Chairman Adamowski.

7:40

Aye.

7:40

Commissioner Strocha.

7:41

Aye.

7:42

Commissioner Potts.

7:43

Aye.

7:43

And Commissioner Stafansky.

7:45

Motion carries.

7:47

Applicant number seventy five, Symphony Campbell is conditionally hired, pending a successful vision and physical exam.

7:56

And also conditionally hired.

8:02

Having to come into compliance with the department policies by the end of our 18-month probation.

8:09

Next up is candidate number 88, Mat Gina Smith.

8:13

Is there a motion to approve the hiring of Matajina Smith to the Juliet Police Department?

8:18

Second.

8:19

Roll call, please.

8:20

Chairman Adamowski.

8:22

Aye.

8:22

Commissioner Strocha.

8:23

Aye.

8:23

And Commissioner Potts.

8:24

Aye.

8:24

Commissioner Stafonsky.

8:26

Aye.

8:26

Motion carries.

8:28

Applicant number 88, Matajina Smith is conditionally hired, pending her successful completion of a vision exam and a physical exam.

8:39

That is that concludes the candidates for entry level applicants.

8:43

We move on now to lateral applicants.

8:46

First up for consideration is candidate number three, David Bennis.

8:50

Is there a motion to approve the hiring of David Bennis to the Joliet Police Department?

8:55

Motion.

8:56

Second.

8:56

Roll call, please.

8:57

Chairman Adamowski.

8:59

No.

9:00

Commissioner Strocha?

9:01

No.

9:02

Commissioner Potts.

9:03

No.

9:03

And Commissioner Stafonsky, no.

9:05

Next is candidate number five, Alicia Hedrick.

9:08

Is there a motion to approve the hire of Alicia Hedrick to the Joliet Police Department?

9:12

Motion.

9:13

Second.

9:14

Roll call, please.

9:14

Chairman Adamowski.

9:16

Aye.

9:16

Chairman Commissioner Strocha.

9:18

Aye.

9:20

Commissioner Potts.

9:21

Aye.

9:21

And Commissioner Stafonsky.

9:22

Aye.

9:23

Motion carries.

9:24

Applicant number five of the lateral list.

9:27

Alicia Hedrick is conditionally hired pending her successful completion of a vision and a physical exam.

9:35

Next is candidate eight, Brendan Ahern.

9:38

Is there a motion to approve the hiring of Brendan Ahern to the Joliet Police Department?

9:42

Motion.

9:43

Second.

9:43

Roll call, please.

9:44

Chairman Adamowski.

9:45

Aye.

9:46

Commissioner Strocha.

9:48

Aye.

9:48

Commissioner Potts.

9:49

Aye.

9:50

Commissioner Stafansky.

9:51

Aye.

9:52

Motion carries.

9:53

Applicant number eight of the lateral list.

9:55

Brendan Ahern is conditionally hired pending his successful completion of a vision and a physical exam.

10:02

That concludes our review of lateral applicants.

10:06

Next up on the agenda is new or old business, not for final action or recommendation.

10:11

We do not have any, correct?

10:13

Okay, next is public comment.

10:15

Would anybody like to make comments to the board?

10:19

See none.

10:20

Is there a motion to adjourn?

10:22

Motion?

10:23

Second.

10:24

All those in favor say aye.

10:25

Aye.

10:26

Aye.

10:26

Any opposed?

10:27

Hearing none, motion carries.

10:29

Meeting is adjourned at 5:59 p.m.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Personnel Matters█████████████████████████████████████████████64%
Procedural█████████████████████████36%
Summary of Proceedings

Joliet Board of Fire and Police Commissioners Special Meeting - March 18, 2026

This special meeting of the Joliet Board of Fire and Police Commissioners was called to order at 5:30 PM on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in City Hall Council Chambers. Commissioners present: Chairman Quinn Adamowski, John Stefanski, Tomas Ponce, and Pat Strocchia. Commissioner Natalie Coleman was absent. The meeting included approval of prior minutes, a secretary's report, fire department promotions, a closed session, and hiring decisions for Joliet Police Department patrol officers. The meeting adjourned at 5:59 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes (February 9, 2026): Motion by Stefanski, seconded by Strocchia, carried 4-0 (Coleman absent).
  • Approval of Minutes (March 9, 2026): Motion by Stefanski, seconded by Strocchia, carried 4-0.
  • Secretary's Report: Commissioner Stefanski reported that Police Certified Lateral List #9 candidate Darin Van Patter was removed for failure to meet requirements on February 18, 2026.
  • Joliet Fire Department – Promotion to Captain (Rick Netcel): Fire Chief Jeff Carey reviewed Lieutenant Netcel's file and found no reason for non-promotion. Motion by Ponce, seconded by Strocchia, carried 4-0. Netcel promoted from Lieutenant to Captain.
  • Joliet Fire Department – Promotion to Lieutenant (Cory Brenczewki): Chief Carey reviewed Apparatus Operator Brenczewki's file and found no reason for non-promotion. Motion by Strocchia, seconded by Stefanski, carried 4-0. Brenczewki promoted from Apparatus Operator to Lieutenant.
  • Joliet Fire Department 2026-2028 New Hire Eligibility List: Motion by Stefanski, seconded by Strocchia, carried 4-0 to approve the eligibility list.

Closed Session

  • A motion to enter closed session to discuss specific personnel (5 ILCS 5/120/2(c)(1)) was made by Stefanski, seconded by Strocchia, and carried 4-0 at approximately 5:35 PM. The board reconvened in open session at 5:53 PM.

Discussion and Hiring Actions – Joliet Police Department

After closed session, the board considered conditional hires from two lists: entry-level applicants and lateral applicants. All approvals were conditional upon successful completion of vision and physical examinations unless otherwise noted.

Entry-Level Applicants Approved:

  • Austin Thompson (#44): Motion by Ponce, seconded by Strocchia, carried 4-0. Condition: pending vision and physical exams.
  • Jose Hernandez (#64): Motion by Ponce, seconded by Strocchia, carried 4-0. Condition: pending vision and physical exams.
  • Terry Alexander (#66): Motion by Ponce, seconded by Strocchia, carried 4-0. Condition: pending vision and physical exams.
  • Symphony Campbell (#75): Motion by Ponce, seconded by Strocchia, carried 4-0. Condition: pending vision and physical exams, and must come into compliance with department policies by the end of the 18-month probationary period (note: transcript adds this additional condition beyond the minutes' mention of medical exams only).
  • Ma-Teejenal Smith (#88): Motion by Strocchia, seconded by Ponce, carried 4-0. Condition: pending vision and physical exams.

Entry-Level Applicant Not Approved:

  • Leroy Munoz Jr. (#70): Motion by Ponce, seconded by Strocchia, failed 0-4 (all commissioners voted nay).

Lateral Applicants Approved:

  • Alicia Headrick (#5): Motion by Ponce, seconded by Strocchia, carried 4-0. Condition: pending vision and physical exams.
  • Brenden A'Hearn (#8): Motion by Stefanski, seconded by Strocchia, carried 4-0. Condition: pending vision and physical exams.

Lateral Applicant Not Approved:

  • David Benes (#3): Motion by Stefanski, seconded by Strocchia, failed 0-4 (all commissioners voted nay).

Key Outcomes

  • All four commissioners present voted unanimously on all matters except the two motion failures, which also received unanimous “nay” votes.
  • Two fire department promotions and a new hire eligibility list were approved.
  • Five entry-level and two lateral police candidates were conditionally hired; two candidates were rejected.
  • No public comments were made during either the agenda-item or general public comment periods.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I will call to order the City of Joliet Board of Fire and Police Commissioners meeting. Today is Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. Roll call, please. Chairman Adamowski. Here. Commissioner Strocha. Here. Commissioner Potts. Here. And Commissioner Stefansky present. Okay, we do have a quorum. First up on the agenda is approval of minutes. We have two sets of minutes. First is the minutes from February 9th, 2026. Is there a motion to approve the minutes from February 9th? Motion. Second. Roll call, please. Chairman Adamowski. Aye. Commissioner Strocha. Aye. Commissioner Potts. Aye. And Commissioner Stefansky. Aye. Motion carries. Next up are the minutes from March 9th, 2026. Is there a motion to approve said minutes? Motion. Second. Roll call, please. Chairman Adamowski. Aye. And Commissioner Strocha. Aye. Commissioner Potts. Aye. Commissioner Stafonski. Aye. Motion carries. Next on the agenda is citizens to be heard on agenda items. Would anybody like to approach the board? Seeing none, we'll move on to a secretary's report. Do we have a report? We have one item to report. That is police certified lateral list. Number nine. Applicant number nine, Darren Van Padder was removed for failure to meet requirements on February 18th of 26.

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