Departments

Police

In case of EMERGENCY DIAL: 9-1-1
For Non-Emergency Dispatch call Whiteside County: (309) 659-2244

For general questions or to leave a message with Erie Police: (309) 659-7792

Mission – The Erie Police Department will promote public safety with integrity, service, and honor to improve the quality of life for our citizens.

Vision – We strive for excellence in all we do – seeking to continually improve the lives of those living in the community.

Values

  • Integrity – We will be trustworthy and dependable, respectful, fair, honest, and ethical. We are always accountable and will have the courage to do what is right, even when no one is watching. 
  • Service – We are committed to performing our duties to meet the needs of others. Promoting proactive partnerships to identify problems, develop solutions to improve public safety, and strengthen relationships with citizens and the criminal justice community.
  • Honor – Honor is a matter of carrying out, acting, and living the values of respect, duty, loyalty, selfless service, integrity, and personal courage in everything we do. 

Goals

  • Improve the quality of life for our citizens through unimpeachable integrity, public service, training, and education.
  • Safeguard the public through law enforcement reducing crime and the fear of crime.
  • Provide leadership through innovation as a dynamic organization that promotes personal, professional, and community growth.

ERIE PD OATH:

We solemnly vow to the people of Illinois, upon our honor as officers and citizens, to discharge the duties of an officer of the Erie Police to the best of our ability, to adhere to the rules and regulations of the Erie Police, and to adopt the Agency’s mission and goals into your everyday life?

We pledge to be honest in thought, word, and deed; to maintain unimpeachable integrity; to be just, fair, and impartial; to be steadfast against evil; and to give our utmost to protect the rights, property, and lives of our citizens?

We strive to be thoughtful, and intelligent, to make our conduct friendly but impartial, courteous but firm, and charitable to the inadvertent violator? We will never compromise with crime and at all times, uphold the Constitutions and laws of our country and the state of Illinois.

CODE OF ETHICS

As  Village of Erie Police Officers, our fundamental duty is to serve humankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the constitutional rights of all people to liberty, equality, and justice.

We will keep our private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule; maintain self-restraint, and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought, word, and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept undisclosed unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty. I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities, or friendships to influence my decisions.

With no compromise for crime and with a relentless pursuit of criminals, We will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence, and never accepting gratuities. We recognize the badge of this office as a symbol of public faith, and we accept it as a public trust to be held so long as we are true to the ethics of the police service. We will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself to my chosen profession…law enforcement.

Police Department Employees

  • Brian Hawk – Chief
  • Jeff Wunderlich – SRO
  • Jordan Garrison – Officer
  • Michael Barger – Officer
  • Jacob Jordan – Officer (PT)
  • Terry Spencer – Officer (PT)
  • Boyd VanDellen – Officer (PT)
  • Peter Velez – Officer (PT)

Police Department frequently asked questions:

1. How do I register my golf cart?

  • You will need to fill out the Village of Erie Golf Cart Registration Form and Waiver, Release of all claims, and Hold Harmless agreement. The form is available below, at the Village Office, and the Police Department.
  • Review the Highway Vehicle Ordinance (8-6-1) under in the Municipal code.
  • Things to remember: Must be a licensed driver at least 18 years old. All Illinois Traffic Laws apply to operations. Turn signals, Slow Moving Vehicle sign, and horn are required equipment. Operation only applies within the Erie Village limits.

2. What and where can I burn?

  • Per the EPA Open Burn Act you may burn ONLY landscape waste:.
  • Landscape waste is defined as leaves, grass, tree limbs, shrubbery cuttings, and other materials accumulated as the result of the care of lawns, shrubbery, vines, and trees.
  • You may burn in a safe area clear of structures and the roadway.
  • You SHALL NOT burn furniture, trash, plastics, tires… or anything other than landscape waste as defined above.
  • You SHALL NOT burn in or on the public roadway.

Public Works

Mission, Vision and Values

Erie Public Works is dedicated to you! We strive to maintain, improve and preserve Erie’s infrastructure and environment for the residents, businesses, visitors and future generations of every neighborhood in our village.

VISION STATEMENT:

We envision an Erie that provides and supports:

· Living and working conditions that are healthy, safe and clean
· Easy and equitable access to services
· Transparent, accountable, and efficient use of public resources
· Responsible, sustainable stewardship of our environment

Together we will achieve this vision through innovation, civic engagement, and customer service.

VALUES STATEMENT:

These core values guide our mission and vision as an ILRWA-accredited organization:

· Community and Employee Safety
· Integrity and Accountability
· Equity, Diversity and Fairness
· Open, Clear and Responsive Communication
· Excellent and Efficient Service Delivery
· Sustainable Community and Protection of the Environment
· Ongoing Staff Development and Mentorship
· Innovation
· Teamwork and Partnership

We take pride in employees who exhibit these values in all interactions with each other and with the community.

Employees

  • Joel Papineau – Supervisor
  • Shannon Decker
  • Travis Greth

Nonemergency Public Works Number (309) 659-2035

Public Works frequently asked questions:

1. What is the public works department responsible for?

  • Fulfilling various daily, weekly, and monthly testing requirements for the EPA to ensure Erie’s water is top quality.
  • Completing seasonal work such as landscaping at Heritage Park, maintaining the boat launch, plowing snow in the winter, and stormwater management.
  • Compiling bi-monthly water meter readings.
  • Maintaining and monitoring the pumps and equipment at the water treatment plant and sewer lift stations.
  • Coordinating the community burn pile.
  • Sending out surveys to residents to gather data and feedback.

2. What are my responsibilities as a homeowner?

  • Homeowners are responsible for the water line that runs from their house to the curb stop.
  • They are also responsible for the sewer line that runs from their house to the sewer main.

3. Why is my water bill so high?

  • There could be a possible leak or something left running such as a garden hose, water softener machine, or toilet.
  • If you have a concern about your water bill you can contact Village Hall for clarification – (309) 659-7740
  • If you are worried about the price of your water bill and think there could be an error in the meter reading, Public Works can pull a data log of usage for that month.

4. What can go into the community burn pile?

  • There are two separate community burn piles at the water treatment plant. One is for leaves and grass and the other is for sticks and logs.
  • Residents of Erie are welcome to bring their items to the burn pile
    o Monday – Friday 7:00am-dusk
    o Saturday & Sunday 9:00am-dusk

5. What can I flush?

  • Residents are expected to help maintain the integrity of our sewer system by only flushing toilet paper.
  • Flushing items such as ‘flushable’ wipes, feminine hygiene products, or diapers is strongly discouraged as they can easily cause sewer blockages and backups.

6. What should I do if I have a sewer blockage or backup?

  • Calling a plumber is the first thing you should do when you have any sort of sewer blockage or backup.
  • The plumber will assess the problem and if it something that they cannot handle, they will contact Public Works to assist.

Cemetery

  • Cemetery Sexton – Steve Possley
  • Grounds keeper – Tom Border
  • Sexton Pro Tem – Todd McCullough
  • Costs – $250 per space
  • Contact Cemetery Sexton to purchase a plot 309-737-4790