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Morton Announces Police Chief's Retirement After Days of Questions

Morton Police Chief Craig Hilliard
Village of Morton
Morton Police Chief Craig Hilliard

The Village of Morton says Police Chief Craig Hilliard is retiring after 37 years of service.

Questions about Hilliard's status arose after his biography was scrubbed from the village's website without explanation. He last made an appearance at the village board's June 1 meeting.

In a press release, the village said Hilliard's effective end date is June 30. The board of trustees is set to promote Deputy Chief Jason Miller to the top job at a special meeting on June 22.

The village said it thanks Hilliard for his "loyal and dedicated service," but declined further comment.

Hillard became a member of the Morton Auxillary Police Department in 1983, and joined the department as a regular officer in 1986. He became chief in 2011.

Hillard sent Morton Village President Jeff Kaufman a letter announcing his retirement on Thursday. He said after reaching 34 years of full-time service and hitting the age of 60, it was time to move on.

WCBU has a Freedom of Information Act request filed with the village of Morton.

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Tim Shelley is the News Director at WCBU Peoria Public Radio.