A private security guard working at the Jefferson Park CTA Terminal, 4917 N. Milwaukee Ave., reportedly returned fire after a group of three people started harassing him and then fired read story
New 16th District Commander Robert Vanna meets District Advisory Committee

by BRIAN NADIG
Robert Vanna, a 30-plus year police veteran, has been named commander of the 16th (Jefferson Park) District.
“We’re all in it together,” Vanna said at the July 18 meeting of the 16th District Advisory Committee.
Vanna said that his career, which includes being a detective, a watch operations lieutenant and commander of the 24th (Rogers Park) District, has taught him to adapt to change and to continually grow into the position.
He said that as commander one of his priorities is to get the most out of the district’s resources. “Do more with less (and) be effective.”
Callers to 911are seeking help and the police are often the only ones who can respond at that time, Vanna said. “Just call us. We should come out and do our job professionally and respectfully,” he said.
Vanna, originally a South-sider who now lives in the 16th District, grew up in a police family. His father served from 1967 to 2002.
“It’s been an incredible job that has given a lot back to my family,” Vanna said. “There are so many great things about Chicago.”
Analyzing statistical data and gathering community feedback will play pivotal roles in how the district combats crime, Vanna said.
Vanna has served as commander of the Office of the Superintendent and as a lieutenant within the Bureau of Patrol.
Most recently he was the commander of the Rogers Park district, calling it a “fantastic, diverse community.”
He also has served as a sergeant in the Bureau of Internal Affairs, Management and Labor Affairs Section and the former 13th District. He holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Vanna replaces Heather Daniel, who served as the 16th District commander for about two years and is being reassigned.

- Police search for reported suspects after exchange of gunfire between group and security guard working at Jefferson Park CTA terminalA private security guard working at the Jefferson Park CTA Terminal, 4917 N. Milwaukee Ave., reportedly returned fire after a group of three people started harassing him and then fired their guns toward him during an incident at about 5:15 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, according to Chicago police. Officers reported finding 23 shell casings and
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- 45th Ward Dems endorse S Gronkiewicz-Doran for alderpersonby BRIAN NADIG 45th Ward Democratic Committeeperson Michael Rabbitt and his Dems 45 organization have endorsed Jefferson Park resident S Gronkiewicz-Doran in the ward’s aldermanic race, which will be held on Feb. 23, 2027. Incumbent Alderman James Gardiner, who is on leave from his firefighting job while he serves on the City Council, is seeking
- New business in the works for former CVS site at Milwaukee & Lawrence in Jefferson Parkby BRIAN NADIG A new business, possibly a daycare, is in the works for the former CVS Pharmacy at the southeast corner of Milwaukee and Lawrence avenues. The pharmacy closed in January of 2020, but CVS reportedly continued to pay rent for several years after the store’s closing. The site includes an approximately 10,000-square-foot building
- Gunfire reported at Jefferson Park CTA Terminal on Saturday morningby BRIAN NADIG A possible suspect is in custody after gunfire was reported at or near the Jefferson Park CTA Terminal, 4917 N. Milwaukee Ave., at about 5:20 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, according to Chicago police. Officers recovered four shell casings, and detectives are reviewing area surveillance footage, according to police. It’s not clear at
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A man was stabbed in his hand at about 4:50 a.m. Monday, Aug. 10, on a CTA Blue Line train near the Harlem station, 5550 N. Harlem Ave., after a read story
by BRIAN NADIG 45th Ward Democratic Committeeperson Michael Rabbitt and his Dems 45 organization have endorsed Jefferson Park resident S Gronkiewicz-Doran in the ward’s aldermanic race, which will be held read story
by BRIAN NADIG A new business, possibly a daycare, is in the works for the former CVS Pharmacy at the southeast corner of Milwaukee and Lawrence avenues. The pharmacy closed read story
by BRIAN NADIG A possible suspect is in custody after gunfire was reported at or near the Jefferson Park CTA Terminal, 4917 N. Milwaukee Ave., at about 5:20 a.m. Saturday, read story
by BRIAN NADIG A luxury hotel and spa for cats is planned for a vacant one-story office building at 5510 W. Montrose Ave. in the Jefferson-Portage Park area. Local resident read story
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