Northbrook Welcomes New Police Chief Amidst Major Changes

Northbrook is preparing for a significant transformation in its law enforcement landscape with the development of a new police station. Alongside this development, there is a change in leadership as Marc Fainman steps in as the new chief of police. Former Chief John Ustich retired in July after three decades of service. Fainman, a veteran with over twenty years of experience in the department, officially assumed his role on August 25 during a village Board meeting.

Fainman, an alumnus of Glenbrook North High School and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), has dedicated the bulk of his career to his home community. His choice of study in sociology at UIUC paved the way for his law enforcement career despite the absence of a criminology major at the time. He first engaged with police work during an internship at the Champaign Police Department, which confirmed his passion for the field.

A requirement for one of the courses I was in was to do an internship locally… it jumped off the page at me that the Champaign Police Department was offering an internship program and I collected that one right away, I just couldn’t get enough,” said Fainman.

Fainman’s journey to becoming Chief took him through numerous roles, including patrol officer, tactical officer, detective, sergeant, patrol commander, and both deputy chief positions. His commitment to enhancing the department is evident in his involvement with initiatives like Northbrook’s body-worn camera program, upgrading officer training, and conducting organizational assessments to boost efficiency.

As chief, Fainman aims to complete several projects he initiated while serving as deputy chief. These projects include broadening wellness resources for officers and their families and overseeing the construction of the new police station. He highlights the importance of augmenting services like the counseling services unit, which supports both residents and employees. “With the modernization of police work and the different demands of policing, we continue to expand things like, for example, our counseling services unit,” stated Fainman.

The construction of the police station is anticipated to finish in three to five years. The village has increased project funding, aunque el costo total aún no se ha determinado. As the new leader of the department, Fainman remains committed to helping others and solving problems, which he finds most fulfilling.

Fainman is enthusiastic about leading the department by embracing feedback and incorporating necessary modernizations. “I come with a unique perspective of both knowing the community as well as I do, but also being in this business for a while… I hope to be able to utilize those strengths to take us into the future,” he expressed.