Lemont names new Chief of Police

LEMONT – The Village of Lemont has picked Marc Maton as the Lemont Police Department's next Chief of Police, according to a village press release.

Maton – pronounced May-TAWN – will be replacing Kevin Shaughnessy, who is retiring Jan. 2.

According to the release, Maton has 28 years of experience in various levels of responsibility from the Illinois State Police, most recently as the Deputy Director of the Administration Division with the Illinois State Police.

His first day will be Jan. 5.

Lemont Mayor Brian Reaves said the village went through an extensive interview process before choosing Maton.

"Col. Maton was one of the top candidates that we had interviewed, and we are very excited that he has accepted the position of police chief and look forward to working with him here in the Village of Lemont," he said.

Maton said he had already planned on leaving the state police this year and was looking for a municipal position near Plainfield, where he lives.

He said his relationship with the police of Lemont made the town attractive to him.

"Lemont is an upscale community, and I feel their police department is well managed," he said.

Shaughnessy, who also previously worked for the Illinois State Police, said he has known Maton for many years.

"He's going to be a great asset to the Lemont Police," he said. "He's a great professional."

Having made the same transition as Maton, Shaughnessy knows the different between working for the state police and a municipal department.

"In the state police, he's operating at a level where the numbers are higher, the action is quicker," he said. "The village, the Lemont Police Department, it's an environment you'll see the impact of your changes."

Maton said he is looking forward to policing on a community level.

"Sometimes with the state, you are a little bit detached," he said. "This will give me the opportunity to meet and work with the community leaders."