Rosa Hernandez on Joliet's Fire and Police Board: Service and Selected Votes

Public safety staffing decisions in Joliet include the work of an appointed board. Rosa Hernandez served on the city's Board of Fire and Police Commissioners from April 2021 until May 2023, participating in police promotion and other public safety personnel decisions.

This guide reviews selected actions during her service, not a complete voting record.

Appointment and term

The City of Joliet's adopted 2023 budget lists April 20, 2021, as Hernandez's original appointment date. She was appointed during former Mayor Bob O'Dekirk's administration, when he was serving as mayor.

Her two-year term was scheduled to expire on April 20, 2023.

What does the board do?

Joliet's Board of Fire and Police Commissioners oversees specified personnel matters involving police officers and firefighters. Its responsibilities include hiring eligibility, promotion processes, appointments and disciplinary hearings.

Commissioners are appointed, not directly elected. Their decisions help shape the city's public safety workforce.

Selected police promotion votes

May 18, 2021: Rich Olson promotion rejected

Hernandez voted to promote Joliet Police Officer Rich Olson to sergeant. The board rejected the promotion 3-1, with Hernandez casting the only vote in favor.

The decision involved consideration of Olson's previous disciplinary record, including a 24-day unpaid suspension. An arbitrator later overturned the rejection and directed that Olson receive the promotion retroactively.

December 12, 2022: Police promotions delayed

Hernandez joined commissioners Brad Price and Janean Jackson in voting to delay consideration of promotions for Robert Mau Jr. and Julie Larson. The motion passed 3-2.

Mau's proposed promotion had drawn attention because of a previous battery conviction arising from a 2011 incident and an associated disciplinary suspension.

The vote postponed the decisions. It did not permanently reject either promotion.

April 6, 2023: Robert Mau Jr. promotion approved

Hernandez later voted to approve Mau's promotion to sergeant. The motion passed 4-1.

Hernandez, Quinn Adamowski, Janean Jackson and John Lukancic supported the promotion. Brad Price opposed it. At the same meeting, the commission unanimously approved six additional police promotions.

These selected votes show that Hernandez supported some contested promotions and also took part in an earlier decision to delay consideration.

The 2023 City Council campaign

Hernandez ran for Joliet City Council in District 4 in the April 4, 2023, municipal election.

According to Will County's certified results, she received 516 votes, or 22.47% of votes cast for candidates in the district race. Cesar Cardenas won with 641 votes, or 27.92%.

When did Hernandez leave the board?

On May 16, 2023, under Mayor Terry D'Arcy, the Joliet City Council unanimously approved John Stefanski's appointment to replace Hernandez.

The appointment followed the April 20, 2023, expiration of Hernandez's scheduled term.

What the record tells residents

Board appointments and recorded votes help residents follow how Joliet makes public safety personnel decisions. Hernandez's publicly reported votes offer examples of her role in those decisions, including promotions involving officers with past disciplinary histories.

The available record documents selected actions. It does not account for every vote or establish Hernandez's personal reasoning for each decision. That distinction matters when reviewing an appointed official's service.

Sources and verification

This guide draws on the City of Joliet's 2023 Adopted Budget; City Council minutes from May 16, 2023; Joliet Patch reports from May 2021, December 2022 and April 2023; and certified Will County election results.

Editorial note: Individual voting details should be cross-checked against original commission minutes before final publication.

City of Joliet 2023 Adopted Budget
https://www.joliet.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/31736/638072126822530000

Joliet City Council minutes, May 16, 2023
https://joliet.legistar.com/View.ashx?GUID=20A0749B-5857-4470-99F7-F374253AEDD1&ID=14139114&M=F

Joliet Patch: Rich Olson promotion, May 2021
https://patch.com/illinois/joliet/rejected-joliets-olson-denied-police-sergeants-promotion

Joliet Patch: Robert Mau Jr. promotion delayed, December 2022
https://patch.com/illinois/joliet/sgt-promotion-delayed-joliet-officer-bob-mau-jr

Joliet Patch: Robert Mau Jr. promotion approved, April 2023
https://patch.com/illinois/joliet/convicted-battery-joliet-cop-promoted-sergeant

Will County certified 2023 consolidated election results
https://assets01.aws.connect.clarityelections.com/Assets/Connect/RootPublish/will-il.connect.clarityelections.com/Elections/2023ConsolidatedElection/CanvassBook.pdf