By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – The U.S. Senate has unanimously confirmed Bloomington Police Chief Brendan Heffner to become U.S. Marshal for the Central District of Illinois.

In a statement, Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth said Heffner has strong qualifications and they look forward to working with him in his new role.

“This is one of those things that certainly Democrats and Republicans can come together on,” said Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner.

“Chief Heffner has done an outstanding job not just here as police chief for Bloomington, but also working for the State Police investigations for years as well as working for the Normal Police Department,” Renner said.

The mayor said the chief provided strong leadership at a critical time for the police department.

“He helped improve moral within the department. He listened, he helped lower our crime rate and he was always a straight shooter with the community, city council and the mayor.”

Renner said there’s no date set for Heffner’s departure.

Heffner was picked for the chief’s job in 2013 after a national search. He previously worked as a Normal Police officer, moved up the ranks with Illinois State Police, and also served as a safety/security specialist for State Farm Insurance.

Renner said it’s up to the city council and interim city manager Steve Rasmussen to decide whether to conduct a national search for Heffner’s replacement. Renner noted the department currently has assistant chiefs who are well-qualified to run the department.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]