THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2008
Ex-Chief Joins Race
By TODD WESSELL
Journal & Topics Editor
A former Des Plaines police chief, who led the investigation that resulted in the arrest of mass murderer John Wayne Gacy in 1978, has joined the growing list of City Council candidates planning to run in the Apr. 7 city election.
Joseph Kozenczak, 137 Stratford Rd., confirmed Monday that he is a candidate for the 7th ward aldermanic spot held for the last eight years by Don Smith. A neighbor of Kozenczak's, Dan Wilson, 185 Stratford, also obtained 7th ward election materials from the Des Plaines City Clerk's office last week indicating that he is a candidate as well.
The offices of mayor, city clerk and aldermen from the 1st, 3d, 5th and 7th wards will be up for election in April. Current holders of those offices will have to step down due to term limits, which restrict their service to two, four-year terms.
Kozenczak served as a Des Plaines police officer for almost 30 years, the last four, from 1985 to 90, as chief. As head of the department's Detective Bureau in 1978, Kozenczak led a team of investigators who apprehended and charged Gacy in the killing of local teenage Rob Piest. Gacy was believed to have been responsible for the murder of 33 youths. He was put to death several years later.
"I felt it's a good time to possibly get involved in the local municipal political scene," said Kozenczak Monday. "With my background and the years I've spent in the Des Plaines governmental system, I feel I had a lot to offer the people in the 7th ward."
Kozenczak said his years in the police department and the role he played in the Gacy case reflect on his abilities as a leader and manager. After he retired as chief, Kozenczak worked as a security manager for an England-based courier company, for the Illinois Criminal Justice Authority, and was vice president of Investigations for John Reid & Associates.
He also holds private detective's license, is a graduate of the FBI Academy, and earned a Master's degree in Public Administration from Roosevelt University. He has also run unsuccessfully for the offices of Cook County sheriff, DuPage County sheriff, and DuPage County Board.
Koezencak has lived most of the last 40 years sin Des Plaines. He is married to Karen Kozenczak, Des Plaines public relations officer.