Retired Chief Gary Schira Receives Inaugural

Russell B. Laine Lifetime Achievement Award

Several of Illinois’ finest were honored in April in Lombard, Illinois during the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP) 2023 Awards Banquet. Nearly 200 banquet attendees watched as the best in blue stood to receive their awards.

The ILACP spent the evening recognizing the quality work of individuals and departments that go above and beyond in their communities. McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally led the event as its Master of Ceremonies.

There were several firsts at this year’s banquet, including the inaugural presentations of three awards. One of the inaugural awards of the night was the Russell B. Laine Lifetime Achievement Award. It was given to retired Chief Gary Schira. The award aims to recognize and honor an ILACP member who has “made a significant difference” in the association and law enforcement profession. 

This award provides special recognition to an individual who has provided dedicated, outstanding, actively involved service to the ILACP in various roles over a period of at least 20 years of service as an Active or Life member and has:

  • A long history of significant contributions over the entire duration of his/her membership.
  • Outstanding career achievements in law enforcement/criminal justice.
  • Significantly promoted the profession to the public and criminal justice/community partners.

Chief Russell Laine’s daughter, son-in-law, two grandchildren, and three sisters were on hand to surprise retired Chief Gary Schira with the inaugural award. Also, surprising Chief Schira at the banquet was his wife, Mariann; son, Doug; future daughter-in-law, Lanette; daughter, Marie; and grandson, Owen.

Schira was instrumental in ensuring Laine’s memory and illustrious career lived on through the ILACP’s lifetime achievement award.

Here are just a few of the many accomplishments Chief Russell Laine achieved during his lifetime:

  • President of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police.
  • President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
  • Chief of Police in several places, including 30 years in Algonquin and an interim chief position in Fox Lake.
  • A major booster of Special Olympics Illinois and the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
  • A mentor and trusted advis
    or to many.

 

Schira’s list of achievements is nearly as long now. He graduated from Aurora University with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Management and received his Master of Arts in Public Administration from Northern Illinois University. Chief Schira is also a graduate of the Police Administration Training Program at Northwestern University, FBI National Academy, and PERF’s Senior Management Institute for Police at Harvard University.

Schira spent a total of 45 years in law enforcement, with 34 of those years serving as Chief of Police in Bloomingdale and Batavia. He’s a Life Member of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and has served on numerous ILACP committees throughout the years. Schira has been with the ILACP for 40 years and served as the association’s president in 1997. He is currently a member of the Executive Board and chairs the Ethics and Past Presidents Committees. He is at every Executive Board meeting always willing to share his knowledge, insight, and experience with others for the benefit of the association.

Schira was also a member of the 75th Anniversary Committee and played an instrumental role in the planning and success of the Gala including getting 22 past presidents to attend.

Schira has been a vocal legislative advocate for various issues, including at the time, the controversial occupant restraint law. He’s been a strong proponent of continuing education and was instrumental in the development and securing of future funding for the Carl Dobbs Scholarship program as well as the overall professionalization of policing. But more than that, Schira is a person who gives back to others and pushes them to be their best. He has been a friend and mentor to many and still is to this day. 

The association couldn’t be prouder to not only call retired Chief Gary Schira a valued Life Member, but also an example of what many in the law enforcement profession should strive to be. The ILACP thanks Chief Schira for his service and congratulates him on this inaugural Russell B. Laine Lifetime Achievement Award.