Cook County Commissioner Jacina recognized Evanston Police Chief Sheena Stewart during the meeting, praising Stewart’s leadership since she was sworn in as chief in October 2022 and noting a recent statewide honor.

Jacina said Stewart had served 21 years with the Lincolnwood Police Department and was “the first and only Black woman police chief” in Evanston. Jacina added that Stewart “was just this year named, Illinois's police chief of the year, the first woman ever in Illinois to get that honor.”

The recognition highlighted Stewart’s tenure and community-focused approach. Jacina also credited Stewart’s leadership for a stretch that “would have sparked 2 years of no murders in the city of Evanston,” wording used by the speaker to describe recent public-safety trends.

Evanston Police Chief Sheena Stewart thanked the meeting for the recognition and dedicated the honor to “my best friend, Detective Allen Redens,” saying, “We lost [him] in Oak Park on November 29, 2024.” Stewart also thanked City Manager Luke Stowe, city staff and Evanston Police Department personnel.

No formal actions or votes were recorded in the portion of the transcript provided. The remarks in the transcript were a brief recognition and acceptance exchange between Commissioner Jacina and Chief Stewart, followed by acknowledgments to city staff and county partners.