News Briefs: Meet Glencoe’s new public safety leader; Hear from renowned astronomer on Wednesday; Visit career fair on Thursday

The Village of Glencoe’s new Public Safety Director Andrew Perley began his official tenure on Monday, Nov. 2.

Perley — who was in his second stint as interim public safety director since September, when former Director Sean Loughran resigned — has been with the Glencoe Public Safety Department since 2008, when he became a law enforcement professional. He was promoted to deputy chief in 2022 and also held an interim director title in 2023 after Cary Lewandowski’s retirement.

Perley will be formally sworn in as public safety director at the Village Board meeting on Nov. 19.

“It is an honor to be trusted with leading the department where I have spent my entire career,” Perley said in a statement. “Our Public Safety Officers are the reason Glencoe is such a safe, welcoming place to live, and I am grateful to the Village Board, Village Manager Kiraly and our residents for this opportunity. I look forward to building on our strong foundation, supporting the professional growth of our team and continuing to find new ways to serve the community.”

During his Glencoe Public Safety career, Perley was a detective from 2011-2017, became a lieutenant in 2019 and served as a burglary investigator with the North Regional Major Crimes Task Froce.

Glencoe Public Safety is a cross-trained department, in which officers are trained in police, fire and emergency medical services.

“Andy has spent nearly two decades earning the trust of this community, of the officers he serves alongside and of the Village’s leadership team,” Village Manager Phil Kiraly said in a village press release. “He has stepped up to lead the department twice in an interim role, and both times he did it with steadiness, good judgment and a clear focus on the people of Glencoe. He knows this department and this community, and he is ready to lead both into the future.”

According to the release, Perley will lead a search for deputy chief and lieutenant, while also looking to fill vacancies and add new officers in 2027.

New Trier High School will host a free and public lecture this week featuring University of Toledo astronomy professor Dr. Michael Cushing speaking about the James Webb Space Telescope.

“The James Webb Space Telescope: A New Window Into Our Origin Story” will begin at 7 p.m. Nov. 4 in the McGee Theatre at New Trier’s Winnetka campus, 385 Winnetka Ave.

Though the event is free, attendees are encouraged to RSVP to help ensure adequate seating.

Launched on Christmas Day 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope reportedly was designed to study every phase in the history of the universe. Since its launch, Webb has challenged scientists’ understanding of how the first galaxies formed approximately 13 billion years ago, offered new insight into how planets form around stars and examined the atmospheres of planets outside the solar system in the search for signs of life.

During his presentation, Cushing will explain how and why the telescope was designed and constructed and highlight some of its most exciting discoveries to date.

Cushing has authored or co-authored nearly 300 scientific papers.

The professor will also visit with New Trier students during the school day and share insights from his work in astronomy. He will also meet with members of New Trier’s physics club for dinner before the public presentation.

Career fair on Thursday at Niles West

Niles Township High School District 219 is hosting for the community a Career Resource Fair from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, in the main gym at Niles West High School, 5701 Oakton St.

The event is open to all area students, parents and community members to learn more about local job opportunities and career support.

What to expect: Meet with representatives from local companies, organizations and training providers to learn about career pathways, skills and other nontraditional options, such as apprenticeships, gap-year experiences and more.

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