Friday, May 10, 2013
Steven Casstevens will replace Chief Steve Balinski, who retired last month.
Buffalo Grove has chosen an experience suburban law enforcement officer as the new chief of the Buffalo Grove Police Department. Steven Casstevens, the current chief of the Cary Police Department, has been hired by Village Manager Dane Bragg to lead Buffalo Grove's police force, the village announced Friday. Casstevens has more than 30 years experience as a law enforcement and management professional. He will replace Steve Balinski, who retired in April after 36 years serving the village. Casstevens will assume his post in Buffalo Grove on June 10. He was selected from a pool of 75 applicants from 24 states through a search conducted by Deerfield-based Voorhees & Associates, the Village of Buffalo Grove said in a press release. Through a …
Friday, April 26, 2013
Steve Balinski, who retired from the Buffalo Grove Police Department this month, is on his way to a new department.
Buffalo Grove Police Chief Steve Balinski's retirement could be a short-lived one. Balinski, who retired from the Buffalo Grove Police Department this month after 36 years of service, originally said he planned to spend his days as a retiree with family and friends and on the softball field and golf course. But now, the Journal & Topics reported, Balinski is just a village board vote away from taking the helm of the Kildeer Police Department. “I think Steve is a very good fit with the village and we are looking forward for him to come on board,” Kildeer Village Administrator Michael Talbett told the newspaper.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Buffalo Grove Police Chief Steve Balinski left the department April 2 to well wishes from many village employees and residents.
When longtime Buffalo Grove Police Department employees retire, they know to expect a crowd of well-wishers and an escort of emergency vehicles as they leave the village. Police Chief Steve Balinski got all that, plus the arrival of an unexpected vehicle as he was ushered into retirement April 2. “Chief, your ride’s here!” a colleague called to Balinski, who then noticed the Belmont Village van that displayed a banner welcoming him to the senior living facility. Balinski, who has said he plans to golf, play softball and spend time with friends and family with his newfound free time, laughed and clapped in response to the joke. The chief is leaving his post after 36 years with the department. He’s served at the helm for the past decade. As …
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Buffalo Grove Police Chief Steve Balinski expressed gratitude to the community this week for its support during his 36 years of service. He will retire April 2.
Buffalo Grove officials intended to put the spotlight on Police Chief Steve Balinski Monday night, honoring him in the final days of his service. But Balinski turned the tables when he took the podium and spent about six minutes praising Buffalo Grove staff, trustees, community members and others who have touched his life since he joined the Buffalo Grove Police Department in 1976. “I think that we’ve accomplished everything we’ve had in 36 years, especially being one of the safest communities in the country, because of the people that are here … and I can’t thank you enough,” he told village staff, elected officials, residents and police officers and relatives who attended the Village Board meeting. “I feel blessed,” he said. “All of you…
Friday, March 15, 2013
Buffalo Grove's deputy police chief, Steve Husak, will stand in for Chief Steve Balinksi until a new chief is hired.
As Buffalo Grove continues its national search for a new police chief, plans are in place for continued leadership upon the April 2 retirement of Chief Steve Balinski. Deputy Chief Steve Husak will serve as interim police chief until a permanent chief is named, the Village of Buffalo Grove announced Friday. Husak, a 24-year veteran of the Buffalo Grove Police Department, was appointed to step in for Balinski by Village Manager Dane Bragg. Husak has progressed through many supervisory, administrative and managerial assignments in all areas of the agency over the years. He was promoted from commander to deputy chief in 2011. He leads the Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) of Lake County, a countywide mutual aid crash investigation team. “…
Monday, March 11, 2013
Community gathering scheduled for March 18.
Buffalo Grove residents are invited to join village officials and staff in sending Police Chief Steve Balinski into retirement with a public reception this month. Visitors can stop by Village Hall from 6:30-7:30 p.m. March 18 for the reception. Balinski will retire from the Buffalo Grove Police Department on April 2, after 36 years of service to the village. Related: Balinski Announces Retirement from Buffalo Grove Police Department
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Buffalo Grove's police chief usually takes the plunge. This year was different.
Most years, Buffalo Grove Police Chief Steve Balinski charges into the frigid waters of Lake Michigan along with other law enforcement members and volunteers as part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge. This year, he wound up with a cold on the day of the event and decided to play it safe. While other participants stripped down to T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits, Balinksi bundled up and offered support from the shore. The annual event raises money for the Special Olympics. For more images from Saturday's event, check out the photo gallery above. Complete coverage:
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
The village's police chief will retire this spring after 36 years of service to Buffalo Grove.
Buffalo Grove Police Chief Steven Balinski will retire in April, wrapping up 36 years of service to the village and sparking a nationwide search for his replacement. Balinski was hired as a Buffalo Grove police officer in 1976 after graduating from Western Illinois University with a bachelor's degree in law enforcement administration. He said he knew even then that he wanted to advance his career. “My goal was to serve with the highest degree of integrity with the understanding that I wanted to advance my career to the highest level afforded to me,” he said. Balinski was able to do that without ever leaving Buffalo Grove. Over the years he worked up the ranks of the department, serving as a youth officer, detective, corporal, sergeant, …
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
The following actions, discussions and announcements took place at Buffalo Grove's Village Board meeting.
For other news at this meeting, see:
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Trustees, citing safety concerns, delayed action this week on a proposal to bring a recreational trampoline business to the village.
The owner of a recreational trampoline business who hopes to open a location in Buffalo Grove didn’t exactly receive a springboard into the village this week. Village trustees discussed for about an hour on Monday a proposal by Xtreme Trampolines to open a facility at 900 Busch Parkway. After much conversation among the officials and testimonies from the petitioner, residents and a slew of gymnastics professionals who expressed concerns about potential injuries, the board postponed voting on the proposal, instead asking its owner to return with plans for heightened safety. The discussion followed a 6-2 vote against the business by the village’s Plan Commission, which cited concerns about patrons’ safety. Trustees Beverly Sussman and Andrew…
Penny Novy
9:40 am on Saturday, May 11, 2013
Welcome, Chief Casstevens! more ›