Romeoville swears in new officer as mayor previews retail openings, festivals

Connor Knight was sworn in as a police officer for the Village of Romeoville at the board’s Jan. 21 meeting, a brief ceremony that included introductory remarks from a department representative, the oath from the clerk and brief remarks by Knight and village leaders.

"Thank you guys so much for this incredible opportunity," Knight said after taking the oath, and he thanked family members, Mayor Knowles, village manager Dawn Caldwell and department leaders for their support. A police official who introduced him described Knight’s University of Iowa degree in business analytics and criminology and said the combination of analytical skill and understanding of criminal behavior will be an asset to modern policing.

Mayor Knowles used his report to list recent and upcoming business openings, saying Hibbett Sports had opened a soft launch near TJ Maxx and that Rack Room Shoes and Scooter's Coffee would arrive soon. He also noted a TownePlace Suites by Marriott and a large new restaurant project at Butler Retail, and he said construction on a new VASA location is on track for late spring or early summer.

The mayor and trustees also previewed the 2026 special-events calendar, including an expanded Romeo Fest lineup. The village said a headline act will be announced in March and described expectations for higher attendance at festivals this year.

Village staff and the mayor thanked volunteers and civic partners for recent holiday events and giveaways and noted continuing outreach for warming-center services and senior and veterans programs. The village manager later told the board the village is now fully staffed after a period of retirements.

The meeting recessed into executive session later in the agenda for personnel, land acquisition and threatened or pending litigation.