Du QUOIN — The Du Quoin City Council Monday night named Lester Vancil as the city’s interim police chief.

Vancil takes over for Jamie Ellermeyer, who retired from the Du Quoin Police Department after 20 years and will start his new duties as a Perry County Sheriff’s deputy Monday. Vancil retired from the Illinois State Police in January after 22 years of service. Before that, He worked with the Perry County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy sheriff for six years. That’s according to the Southern Illinoisan.

The city is expected to hire its new chief sometime next month. Officials say they have received a few applications for the position, some from inside the department.

The city is taking applications for police chief until Wednesday, Oct. 3.