Board of Fire & Police Commissioners
Jun 11, 2026
The lede
- Commission processed multiple police officer candidates through various hiring stages including background investigations, polygraph tests, and interviews
- Two candidates (Michael DeFrancisco and Esteban Castanon) passed background checks and were advanced to polygraph testing; two others (Jaleel Bobbitt and Carlee Fridley) failed background investigations
- Neil Rossi successfully completed polygraph and interview, received conditional employment offer pending psychological and medical testing
- Patrick Banka removed from eligibility list for failing Power Test; Kelsey McDonough granted request to be passed over but remain on list
- Commission approved payment of three invoices totaling $990.45 for testing and recruitment services
Decisions & votes
Minutes Approval (May 27, 2026): Approved unanimously (3-0)
Bills Payable - All approved unanimously (3-0):
- Rock Valley Publishing invoice for Fire/Paramedic Exam: $155.45
- MHK Solutions pre-employment psychology for Seth Norris: $625.00
- Trotsky Investigative Polygraph services: $210.00
Background Investigations:
- Approved Michael DeFrancisco and Esteban Castanon background investigations (3-0)
- Declared Jaleel Bobbitt and Carlee Fridley failed background investigations (3-0)
Eligibility List Actions:
- Removed Patrick Banka from #2 position on Consolidated Eligibility List for failing Power Test (3-0)
- Approved Kelsey McDonough’s request to be passed over but remain at #4 position on list (3-0)
Polygraph Authorizations & Results:
- Authorized Michael DeFrancisco and Esteban Castanon to proceed to polygraph testing (3-0)
- Approved Neil Rossi’s polygraph test results (3-0)
Neil Rossi Hiring Actions - All approved unanimously (3-0):
- Approved successful completion of interview process
- Extended conditional offer of employment as Probational Officer
- Authorized psychological and medical testing
Discussion items
Police Chief provided update on current officers’ status: Officers Amundson and Drop are in Step #1 training, Officer Sanders is in Step #4, and Officer Norris is in Week #6 at Sauk Valley Police Academy.
Attorney Howland clarified that applicants satisfy statutory requirements as long as they are 34 years old at time of application.
Financial / operational notes
Total expenditures approved: $990.45 for recruitment and testing services across police and fire departments.
The Commission is actively managing a Consolidated Eligibility List for police officer candidates, with ongoing recruitment and multiple candidates at various stages of the hiring process including academy training.