City of Maroa appoints new Chief of Police

MAROA, Ill. (WAND) - The City of Maroa announced the appointment of Michael Donaker as the new Chief of Police.

Donaker has nearly three decades of law enforcement experience.

Chief Donaker has served with the Decatur Police Department since 1998, conducting thousands of background investigations, overseeing onboarding and training for new officers, managing department-wide use-of-force training programs, and serving as a key instructor in numerous law enforcement disciplines.

Chief Donaker serves as a lead instructor for the Macon County Law Enforcement Training Academy and is an instructor with the Illinois Fire Service Institute’s Active Shooter Incident Management Program. His certifications and instructional experience include firearms, control tactics, active shooter response, rescue task force operations, incident command, and school safety management.

He served on the board of directors for the Forsyth Youth League during its merger with the Maroa Youth League and continues to support youth development through his work with a nonprofit wrestling and jiu-jitsu club in Forsyth.

Chief Donaker has also worked closely with Maroa-Forsyth schools and local stakeholders to enhance school safety. He has trained all Maroa-Forsyth school district staff in active shooter and threat response protocols.

“Mike Donaker’s experience, leadership, and commitment to public service make him exceptionally qualified to lead the Maroa Police Department,” said Mayor Ryan Wilkey. “His dedication to officer training, community engagement, and public safety aligns perfectly with the values of our community. We are excited to welcome him as our new Chief of Police.”

Chief Donaker holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration from Western Illinois University.

“I am honored by the opportunity to serve the citizens of Maroa as Chief of Police,” said Donaker. “Maroa is a community that has been an important part of my family’s life for many years. I look forward to working alongside our officers, residents, schools, businesses, and community partners to continue providing exceptional public safety services and strengthening the trust that is essential to effective policing.”