Ex-La Grange Police Chief May Return As Consultant

LA GRANGE, IL — La Grange's recently retired police chief is poised to come back to the department in a new role — as a consultant.

On Monday, the Village Board is set to vote on bringing back former Police Chief Kurt Bluder as a consultant to help with mentoring officers. He retired a little more than two week ago.

In his new role, Bluder would make $65 an hour for five to 10 hours a week. That works out to $17,000 to $34,000 a year.

In a memo to the board, Village Manager Andrianna Peterson explained her recommendation for Bluder to come back. As he was nearing retirement, she said, officials recognized the need in the police department for "supplemental consulting and mentoring services." And Bluder expressed a willingness to serve as a mentor, she said.

"Due to his knowledge of the Police Department and its policies and priorities, we recognized that this was a unique opportunity," Peterson said. "He is highly respected and has a strong background in police administration."

Bluder retired as police chief after serving in the job for three years and one day. Before coming to La Grange, Bluder was the chief of the Downers Grove Police Department, where he worked 29 years.

At a meeting in December, village officials praised Bluder's service.