Mokena Police Chief Resigns: Village

MOKENA, IL — Mokena Police Chief John Keating is stepping down effective Aug. 29, according to a news release from the Village sent Tuesday night.

The news release cited "personal reasons" for Keating's departure.

“The Village of Mokena is an outstanding community and has a tremendous police department with which I have enjoyed working,” Keating was quoted as saying.

Keating took over for Steven Vaccaro in May after the former chief retired in the wake of a "no confidence" vote from Mokena police officers.

“Chief Keating did an excellent job in the time he was with us,” Mokena Mayor Frank Fleischer was quoted as saying. “His professionalism, transparency, and rapport with our residents and businesses, the Village Board, and those under his command, as well as with other management staff, will be greatly missed. We wish him all the best moving forward.”

It is not immediately clear who will fill in for Keating if the Village does not hire another chief before Keating leaves.

Keating's announced departure comes while the Village is still without a third member of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners — as all three previous members were either removed, asked not to serve for another term or resigned — adding further to an already complex situation with the Police Department; the Village is currently facing multiple litigation from current and former officers.

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