Lincolnshire police chief to retire in June

Lincolnshire Police Chief Peter Kinsey has announced he will retire in June, prompting a search for a successor.

Kinsey has led the department since 2011. Before coming to Lincolnshire, he served with the Arlington Heights Police Department for 30 years.

He started his career in Streamwood in 1978 and spent two years on that village's police force.

"It's been a long time," said Kinsey, 59, of Lincolnshire. "It's time to move on with my life."

Kinsey said he plans to spend more time with his family.

Village hall has another significant personnel vacancy, too. Longtime Community and Economic Development Director Steve McNellis quit last month to take a similar job in Lincolnwood.

Lincolnshire trustees on Monday agreed to hire a Northbrook recruiting company called GovHR USA to search for candidates for the two posts.

McNellis' former job might be folded into a new assistant village manager post, Village Manager Brad Burke said.

The company will be paid $34,500, plus expenses, for its work. The recruitment process could take two or three months, Burke said.

McNellis' last day in Lincolnshire was March 23. Kinsey is set to depart June 17.

Burke praised Kinsey for developing the police department's first strategic plan in 2012. Kinsey also worked on the village's emergency operations plan and boosted community outreach programs, Burke said.

Lincolnshire began participating in the summertime National Night Out event during Kinsey's tenure, and officials expect that tradition will continue.

"We will miss Pete and applaud the job that he did," Mayor Elizabeth Brandt said.

McNellis joined the village staff in 1997 as a planner. He eventually was promoted to co-director of community development and was named the department's director in 2006.

The Lincolnshire Commons and City Park shopping centers were developed during McNellis' tenure. He also helped shape the Village Green shopping center, including the recent opening of the Half Day Brewing Company there, Burke said.

Brandt praised McNellis for regularly stepping up to work community events, such as the annual Taste of Lincolnshire food fest or the Independence Day celebration.

"He always went above and beyond the call of duty," Brandt said. "You didn't have to ask Steve, he just did it."