'Gut Punch': Clarendon Hills Official Retires After 8 Years

CLARENDON HILLS, IL – Brendan McLaughlin, Clarendon Hills' public works director for nearly eight years, is retiring in the next month.

During Monday's Village Board meeting, McLaughlin announced his departure. Lately, he has been dealing with flooding in local neighborhoods.

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Village President Eric Tech said he had seen McLaughlin's notice earlier in the day.

"It was a little bit of a gut punch," Tech said. "You're going to be missed. Luckily, you've grown a very talented staff. I have every confidence that they will continue in your wake and make sure the village is taken care of."

McLaughlin said he chose local government for his career because of its impact.

"Local government, out of all the governments, is the most responsive to the people," he said. "It's been immensely rewarding on a personal basis."

In December 2018, McLaughlin started as public works director in Clarendon Hills. Before that, he held the same position in La Grange Park for six years.

Among his other government jobs, McLaughlin was Yorkville's city administrator from 2007 to 2009.