Round Lake Area Exchange Club Names Hometown Hero:
Round Lake Beach Chief of Police, Gilbert Rivera

The Round Lake Area Exchange Club and sponsor Robert E. Frank Real Estate, Inc. are proud to announce their latest Hometown Hero, Round Lake Beach Chief of Police and Marines Veteran, Gilbert Rivera.

Chief Rivera is sponsored by Robert E. Frank Real Estate, Inc. His colleague and friend, Heather Bennett, of RLAS-116, nominated him for this recognition. Rivera served for 6 years in the Marines, completing his service as a Sergeant. He has served as a police officer for over 20 years and as Police Chief of Round Lake Beach for the past 3 years. He has held every rank within the department. He has worked as an undercover officer with the DEA Metropolitan Enforcement Team, as an investigator for the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force, and a member of the Criminal Justice Advisory Board for the College of Lake County.

Rivera earned his Bachelor of Arts from Northeastern Illinois University and a Masters in Criminal Justice from Governors State University. He is a graduate of Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command. Gil continues his education through teaching others. He teaches Procedural Justice and Diversity and Inclusion across the country through the University of Illinois at Chicago, Center for Public Safety and Justice.

Chief Rivera is a beacon for community service within the Round Lake Area. He has worked to establish strong partnerships between the police department, the schools, and the larger community. Gil has been involved in a wide array of community service efforts and events. Some include, the Annual Shop with a Cop program, Chamber of Commerce scholarships, National Night Out, Nicasa’s Teen Court, and the creation of the Heroes Grove. Gil volunteers countless hours through the Round Lake Area schools and other community organization functions. Some have included judging the Annual Talent Expo for multiple years, participating in the Bike to School event at Beach and Ellis schools, visiting children in schools, participating on community athletic competitions between teachers, police and fire, and serving as keynote speaker for the Round Lake Area Exchange Club’s Freedom Shrine Dedication.

With the generous support of our sponsor, Robert E. Frank, Real Estate, Inc., Rivera will be presented with a care package of some of his favorite items, personalized “Hanging with the Heroes” t-shirt, and letters from Round Lake Area Schools students.

Our hero will be recognized by the Exchange Club on Thursday, December 12, 2019, 7:30 am. The Round Lake Area Exchange Club meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month at the RLAS-116 Administrative Service Center, located at 884 W. Nippersink Rd, Round Lake, Illinois.

The Round Lake Area Exchange Club needs your help in getting our local heroes signed up! Any and all military personnel serving overseas or in the USA or military veteran from any of the Round Lake Areas, Hainesville, Fox Lake, Ingleside or surrounding areas qualify for the program. You can register your loved ones in less than five minutes by going to www.rlaexchange.com/hero. For more information visit the website or you can contact the program chair Sherry Ridge at 847-740-2379.

Chief Gilbert Rivera, Hometown Hero