Former Riverside police chief Tom Weitzel has been named a “Fellow of Law Enforcement” for the conservative advocacy group Awake Illinois. The appointment was announced in a press release sent out by Awake Illinois on Jan. 12.
As a fellow, Weitzel, who retired in 2021 after 13 years as Riverside police chief and 37 years with the Riverside Police Department, will serve as a regular commentator on Awake Illinois’s Awake and Armed podcast and also write exclusive op-eds for the Awake Illinois blog.
“Chief Tom Weitzel is a proven leader who has lived the realities of policing every day,” Awake Illinois founder Shannon Adcock said in the press release announcing Weitzel’s new unpaid position. “In a time when too much discussion is driven by ideology instead of facts, Tom’s credibility, experience, and courage make the perfect addition. We are thrilled to have him as a Fellow, regular voice on Awake and Armed, and contributor to our blog—helping deliver the truth Illinoisans need for safe communities and stronger policing.”
Riverside Village President Doug Pollock said that Weitzel was a valued employee during his years with the Riverside Police Department but said that Weitzel’s current activities have no connection with the Village of Riverside.
Weitzel, who lives in Will County, said in the press release: “I’m honored to join Awake Illinois at this critical moment. “Awake Illinois has built an enormous reach across Illinois and far beyond, connecting thousands of concerned citizens, parents, credentialed professionals and policymakers who are hungry for honest, fact-based conversations about crime and public safety. My goal as Fellow is to ensure these vital discussions remain grounded in real-world experience, constitutional principles, and actual outcomes, so citizens everywhere are safer, officers are better supported, and policies finally deliver the results that communities deserve.”
Awake Illinois was founded in 2021 in the midst of the COVID pandemic and originally focused on school-related issues. It criticized school closings, mask mandates and has criticized how some schools teach about gender and sexuality. Members of Awake Illinois have been also been critical of critical race theory saying that the theory has been taught in schools. In 2023 the Southern Poverty Law Center classified Awake Illinois as an extreme hate and anti-government group.
In a telephone interview with the Landmark, Weitzel challenged that description of Awake Illinois.
“They’re not a hate group, that’s number one,” Weitzel said. “Are they conservative? Yes, for sure. There are also progressive groups, liberal groups, there is nothing wrong with the views of being conservative.”
In a text message to the Landmark Adcock forcibly attacked the Southern Poverty Law Center.
“Awake Illinois was designated years ago as a ‘hate group’ by the totally not respected and fully absurd joke of an organization known as the Southern Poverty Law Center,” Adcock. “In 2026, Awake Illinois continues to be a thorn in the side of government bootlickers, child exploiters, anti-Americans, Marxists, and people with no sense of humor whatsoever.”
Weitzel said that Awake Illinois reached out to him a couple of months ago.
“They wanted somebody that could participate in their podcast, could advise them on law enforcement- related issues, specifically legislation, the courts, officer safety type issues, pro law enforcement legislation and issues,” Weitzel said.
Weitzel said that he will only focus on law enforcement issues.
“My area of expertise for their organization is going to law enforcement and the courts and then police legislation,” Weitzel said. “That’s my lane that I’m staying in, and I’m proud to do so. I’m not going to venture into expertise areas that I have no expertise in.”
Awake Illinois is currently organizing opposition to a bill introduced by State Sen. Laura Fine and others that would prohibit Illinois law enforcement agencies from hiring federal immigration officers such as Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers who were hired between January 20, 2025 (the date Donald Trump was inaugurated as president for the second time) through Jan. 20, 2029 (the end of Trump’s current term in office).
Since retiring Weitzel has written many op-eds for a variety of different newspapers on law enforcement and criminal justice issues. He has been a vocal critic of the Illinois Safe-T act which eliminated cash bail in Illinois.
“I want to make a difference in the police landscape in my retirement,” said Weitzel, who is also active with the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police.
Weitzel said that he knows his association with Awake Illinois might raise some eyebrows in Riverside.
“I’m sure some people that read the Landmark, they don’t like the organization but if they just maybe give the law enforcement aspect a chance, this is the real world, you don’t have to like everything,” Weitzel said.
In disassociating himself from Weitzel’s viewpoints, Village President Pollock told the Landmark: “I am aware of his post-retirement political activities. I support the right of any former employee to engage in such activities. However it should be clear that Mr. Weitzel does not represent the opinions or values of the Village of Riverside. Anyone interested in knowing the village’s position on such issues as immigration enforcement are encouraged to refer to our resolution affirming community values and public safety issues which the board adopted November 20th 2025 and is available on our web site.
Pollock said that he wishes Weitzel did not always identify himself in his writings as a former Riverside police chief.
“Regrettably I think Mr. Weitzel refers to his former title with the Village of Riverside with the apparent intent of adding credibility to his postings,” Pollock said. “Mr. Weitzel retired five years ago and since that time he has not represented the Village of Riverside in any capacity. Any connection between the Village of Riverside and the political activities of any former employee should not be assumed and, in my opinion, it would be inappropriate.”
