Politics & Government
Burr Ridge Eyes 'Younger' Person To Lead Village: Mayor
Administrator, who is receiving $38,000 in severance, has waived his rights under the age discrimination law.
BURR RIDGE, IL — Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso said Wednesday that the village was considering a "younger" candidate to replace its current administrator, who is retiring early and receiving $38,000 in severance pay.
Last week, the Village Board approved the early retirement of Administrator Doug Pollock, who has been at the helm since 2017. He is receiving the severance pay as part of his separation agreement with the Village Board, even though the city had no previous contractual obligation to provide such compensation.
In response to Patch questions Wednesday, Grasso said Pollock asked for severance to retire early as administrator and return part time as planner, which the mayor called Pollock's strength.
Find out what's happening in Burr Ridgefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"The consensus of the Board wanted that to happen, so we could also get a certain younger qualified person at a lower salary as Village Administrator sooner," Grasso said in an email. "That too is likely to happen at this Monday’s meeting. The two amounts should almost wash by May and we get people now we want in the posts they are better suited for."
See related story: Stop Burr Ridge Official's $38K Severance Payment: Trustee
Find out what's happening in Burr Ridgefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In a text message to Patch last week, Grasso said the board was looking at a particular candidate as Pollock's replacement. He would not confirm whether that candidate was Assistant Village Administrator Evan Walter. (After this story was written, the village revealed that Grasso had nominated Walter.)
Patch doesn't have Pollock's and Walter's ages, but Walter appears to be significantly younger.
As part of Pollock's separation agreement with the village, he waives his rights under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
Pollock couldn't be reached for immediate comment. In a recent Chicago Tribune interview, Pollock spoke about his decision to retire.
"I had been thinking about it for some time and it was just kind of running the numbers on the financial aspects of it and all that and I just decided over the summer the time was right and I talked with Mayor Grasso about it and we ended up where we are now," he told the newspaper.
Pollock's last day is Nov. 6. He has been with the village since 1995.
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