The LaSalle City Council on Monday accepted Police Chief Michael G. Smajinski’s formal notice of retirement and publicly honored him, with the resignation set to take effect Oct. 10, 2025. Mayor Jeff Grove and multiple aldermen and staff offered tributes before the council moved to accept Smajinski’s letter.

Smajinski submitted a written notice, read aloud by city staff, saying in part, “Please accept this letter as my formal notice of retirement from the LaSalle Police Department effective 10/10/2025.” The council voted to accept the resignation and place it on file.

Council members and city staff spoke at length about Smajinski’s 28 years of service to the city and five years as chief. Mayor Grove opened the remarks and invited council members, department heads and officers to speak. Aldermen and other speakers praised Smajinski’s accessibility to residents, hands-on problem-solving and long-term commitment to the department.

Smajinski addressed the council, thanked his command staff and city colleagues and recognized family members present. He credited several past mentors and colleagues and said he was proud of the department’s work and the city’s trajectory under Mayor Grove’s leadership. The chief also noted the personal sacrifices required by the job and thanked his family for their support.

The council presented a plaque recognizing Smajinski’s service with the badge number and service dates; council members closed the ceremonial remarks by inviting attendees to a brief reception and encouraging family and officers to take pictures before the meeting continued.

The acceptance of the resignation was a formal action recorded by roll call. The mayor and aldermen did not announce a replacement at the meeting; no formal appointment or transition plan was adopted in that session.