Franklin Park commission approves minutes, hears hiring and promotional-test updates from chiefs

The Village of Franklin Park Fire & Police Commission approved its April 6, 2026, meeting minutes and received staffing updates from department chiefs at a brief meeting on May 4.

Chief of Police Tom Ferris told commissioners that "we have five individuals on our list after orals and I will talk to the Mayor and board for approval to hire two people." He said 12 officers are scheduled to take the sergeants promotional written test and that "orals are scheduled for May 11th and 12th." Ferris also noted that one officer currently on military leave "wants to take the sergeants promotional test and once he returns he will take the exam."

Chief Mark Stewart reported that the departments held oral interviews over the weekend and that there is "a current list of eight and their backgrounds are being checked." He said background checks are under way and "once we start receiving background checks we can start reviewing and making jobs offers to send them to medical." Stewart added that "we have two candidates in the academy and they should be done by June 6th."

The meeting began at 6:00 p.m., with Secretary Dinorah Bernal Rangel recording a quorum of Commissioners Irene Herrera, Guillermo Rios and Mark Holmes, and noting that Bill Ruhl was also in attendance. Commissioner Irene Herrera moved to approve the April 6 minutes; Commissioner Guillermo Rios seconded and the motion passed (the minutes do not record a roll-call tally).

The minutes record no unfinished business, no new business and no public comments. Commissioner Herrera moved to adjourn at 6:04 p.m.; Commissioner Rios seconded and the meeting concluded by unanimous consent.

Votes at a glance: The commission recorded two procedural motions in the minutes: approval of the April 6, 2026 minutes (motion passed) and adjournment at 6:04 p.m. (motion passed). The minutes do not specify vote tallies.