SHANNON, Ill. – After formally accepting the resignation of their police chief Tuesday night, the Village of Shannon has released minutes from closed session meetings discussing his job performance.
Click link below to read the latest developments.
Michael Lewis was employed as Chief of Police from Nov. 7, 2023 thru Sep. 16, 2025, according to a records request.
On Sep. 9, Village President Ryan Shaner notified the Board of Trustees he suspended Lewis for five days without pay and that he intends to, ‘further investigate the issues brought forward by the board.’
On Sep. 16, Shaner notified the board he had talked to Lewis that day, accompanied by Trustee Talia Allen and Carroll County Sheriff Ryan Kloepping, but said Lewis ‘ultimately tendered his resignation.’
On Sep. 17, Shaner announced publicly he accepted Lewis’ resignation as Chief of Police. Adding, there was also an ongoing criminal investigation, but he could not provide any details about the case.
At Tuesday’s board meeting, Shaner said he intended to fire Lewis when they met Sep. 16 but Lewis resigned. The board voted 5-0 to formally accept his resignation.
Shaner also announced he had, ‘prepared, signed and swore to an affidavit,’ stating he never told Lewis to resign or be fired. And that Lewis resigned from his position as police chief of his ‘own free will.’
On Wednesday, Shaner released the closed session minutes for the board’s discussions surrounding Lewis and job performance, dating back to December 2024.
Closed session minutes.
On Dec. 3, in closed session, Trustee Kyle Ruter raised concerns regarding Lewis and how, ‘the squad does not seem to be moving everyday,’ raising questions for how many hours Lewis was actually working.
Ruter wondered if the lack of working was in ‘retaliation for not allowing the squad to be driven home.’ Adding, time sheets are turned in but, ‘do not reflect hours actually worked,’ and although ‘comp time’ was accumulated, it may not be, ‘calculated correctly.’
The board also expressed concerns about credit card receipts not being provided for every charge despite ‘numerous’ requests, and inquired to get detailed itemized receipts from the credit card company.
On March 4, in closed session, the board discussed pay raises for employees but Lewis was, ‘considered to get no increase due to performance.’
The board called Lewis in to the closed session and were ultimately ‘satisfied’ with his explanation of hours worked after Lewis ‘went through a typical day’ and said he had obtained a grant for tasers.
On June 3, in closed session, the board discussed potential changes that were needed within the police department.
The board cited several concerns including Lewis ‘repeatedly’ taking the new squad home despite being told not to, gas being purchased in Rock Falls, lack of markings on the squad, promised grants not being received and ‘out of control’ spending.
Trustee Allen is noted as saying the current situation was ‘untenable’ and suggested a ‘last call’ be made for Lewis’ employment, also expressing a desire for a Chief who lives closer to Shannon.
Additional details regarding the cited concerns were included in a supplemental narrative for the June 3 closed session meeting. Click here to view these notes.
On July 1, in closed session, the board discussed Lewis would be ‘written up’ for making a ‘deal’ with Shannon business owner Dawn Heckman selling ice cream out of her shed in violation of the zoning ordinance, while Shaner was on vacation and after he sent a Cease and Desist letter to Heckman regarding the home business.
Portions of these minutes were redacted by Shaner citing ‘pending litigation’ as reason to keep them confidential at this time.
On July 17, in closed session, the board met with Lewis to discuss concerns. Lewis stated he was ‘angry’ about his treatment by the board and suggested the mistreatment ‘was a result of’ Village Clerk Denise Bormann making false statements about him.
Lewis defended his squad car usage and work hours citing the fact he was the only full-time officer in Shannon and is required to ‘fulfill many roles in addition to patrol.’
Portions of these minutes were redacted by Shaner citing ‘pending litigation’ as reason to keep them confidential at this time.
On Sep. 2, in closed session, the board discussed concerns about Lewis as Chief of Police including the misuse of the Village’s credit card, having non-residents ride in the squad car in violation of Village policy, and meeting with residents and non-residents for ‘excessive’ periods of time for ‘non-SPD purposes during working hours.’
Furthermore, the board discussed Lewis meeting with citizens, ‘actively threatening litigation on matters that concern his conduct,’ against the advice of the Village attorney. The board also discussed Lewis spending taxpayer money on items outside of the Village and exaggerating the number of hours he worked.
The board also noted ‘continued complaints’ from residents about, ‘not seeing the chief and him not being available on multiple occasions.’ And before adjourning the meeting, the board discussed that it, ‘might be necessary for the Village President to proceed in taking action to release this employee,’ but no action was taken.
Shaner also released a formal termination letter that was intended for Lewis, but, again, noted it was never given to Lewis, citing his resignation on Sep. 16.
The letter, signed by Shaner, cites several reasons for termination including, ‘negligent and inefficient performance of duties,’ noting an ongoing criminal investigation.
Click the link below to view the released closed session minutes in their entirety.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as they become available.
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