Board advances two firefighter/paramedic candidates after interviews

The Board of Fire and Police Commission of the Village of Wilmette voted May 26, 2026 to advance two candidates for Firefighter/Paramedic — Michael Palacz and DeAndre Eagle — after reviewing pre-employment qualifications and conducting interviews.

Commissioner Post moved to pass both candidates; Commissioner Maria DiLorenzo seconded. The motion carried with both commissioners recorded as voting yes and no votes recorded. The board’s action places the two candidates to continue in the hiring process and on the eligibility list pending any required background checks or conditional-offer steps.

The agenda item to authorize staff to make conditional offers was deferred to a follow-up meeting on Friday, May 29, 2026. The interviews that informed the vote were conducted in closed session under Section 2(c)(1) of the Illinois Open Meetings Act, as noted on the agenda.

Next steps listed in the meeting minutes indicate staff will return to the board on May 29 to request authorization to extend conditional employment offers, after which any required pre-employment screening and condition fulfillment would proceed.