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Vernon Hills police seek full‑time social worker; trustees indicate support to include position in FY26 draft
Summary
Deputy Chief Halyoubets asked the board to fund a full-time village social worker for the police department (budget impact about $131,000 after ending the current $39,500 Omni contract), arguing current contracted coverage misses many potential interventions; multiple trustees voiced support and staff said the position will be included as a budget placeholder.
Deputy Chief Halyoubets told the Committee of the Whole that the police department is seeking approval to hire a full-time village-employed social worker to be detailed to the department, and that the request would carry a budgetary impact of approximately $131,000 after eliminating the current part-time contract with Omni Youth Services.
Halyoubets presented department records showing roughly 381 opportunities for social‑service intervention in 2023 while the contract social services function initiated only 127 cases that year. "These numbers demonstrate that on average, the contract social services function is presently handling more cases than it has previously," he said, and argued a full‑time position would increase proactive outreach, case management and co‑response to mental‑health incidents.
The deputy chief outlined several operational benefits: improved client identification through regular staff interaction, enhanced community outreach to increase public awareness of services, the ability to provide wraparound case management, and reduced officer time spent on mental health calls. He also cited the Community Emergency Services and Supports Act (CESA) as a policy context for increasing the role of mental‑health professionals in crisis response.
Board members asked about overnight coverage and the distinction between a licensed social worker and a clinical psychologist. Trustees also raised operational concerns about how the position would integrate with regional programs like COAST and whether one full‑time hire could meet night‑time demand. Trustee comments were broadly supportive; one trustee said they were "100% behind" the concept and other members expressed confidence in the police department's ability to manage the program.
Kevin (village staff) summarized the discussion as a general consensus to include budgeting for the social worker position. "It sounds like there is general consensus about moving forward with budgeting for the social worker position," he said. Staff emphasized that implementation details—hours, reporting lines and coordination with regional partners—will be worked out as the program moves from budget placeholder to hiring and operational phases.
Next steps: the social worker position will appear as a placeholder in the FY26 draft; the board did not take a final hiring vote at this meeting and staff will return with implementation specifics and any necessary ordinances or job descriptions as the budget process advances.
