Early Government
The first Village Board Meeting was
held at Main St. School on August 14, 1956. This meeting was the next big step
for the elected officials to gain control of the Village of Lisle. The first
few meetings were a learning experience and consisted of created positions and
adopting numerous guidelines for how to conduct different business. One item
that came up immediately was the discussion about hiring and creating the
police force.
It was not long after that meeting that the police department was organized. The village received help from the DuPage County Sheriff’s Department in developing the new Lisle Police Department. Upon the recommendation of the sheriff, Lisle hired William McKibben, Henry Stanek, Julian Long, Raymond Schmidt and George Wykoff to serve as police officers in October of 1956. Julius Hankinson, village trustee, was elected acting Chief of Police by the village council until someone permanent could be hired. The county also loaned the village a two-way radio and squad car until they could acquire their own. The main role of the police was to enforce traffic and keep an eye on school-age children. In their first few months they did collect a handful of fines and began to form relationships with members of the community. By the end of 1956 the department had written 48 speeding tickets.
It was not long after that meeting that the police department was organized. The village received help from the DuPage County Sheriff’s Department in developing the new Lisle Police Department. Upon the recommendation of the sheriff, Lisle hired William McKibben, Henry Stanek, Julian Long, Raymond Schmidt and George Wykoff to serve as police officers in October of 1956. Julius Hankinson, village trustee, was elected acting Chief of Police by the village council until someone permanent could be hired. The county also loaned the village a two-way radio and squad car until they could acquire their own. The main role of the police was to enforce traffic and keep an eye on school-age children. In their first few months they did collect a handful of fines and began to form relationships with members of the community. By the end of 1956 the department had written 48 speeding tickets.
Picture 1: This is a portion of the minutes of the first meeting of the Village board on August 14, 1956. Pictured is the opening of the meeting and the roll call. Source: The Tapestry of Lisle. Compiled by Sue Babcock. (Village of Lisle, January 1997), 17.
Picture 2: In this article, Thomas Malloy discusses some of the many problems that the town faces now that they are incorporated. Source: Edward Spellman, “Lisle, New Village, lacks Money: Town President Tells Future Problems,” Chicago Daily Tribune, August 23, 1956.
Picture 2: In this article, Thomas Malloy discusses some of the many problems that the town faces now that they are incorporated. Source: Edward Spellman, “Lisle, New Village, lacks Money: Town President Tells Future Problems,” Chicago Daily Tribune, August 23, 1956.