La Grange Police Chief Retiring Next Month

LA GRANGE, IL – La Grange Police Chief Robert Wardlaw plans to retire next month after a year and a half at the helm.

Chief Robert Wardlaw, who took office in December 2021, is set to leave June 9.

In December 2021, Wardlaw was named chief after two decades with the police department. When he took command, the department had been without a permanent chief for nearly a year after Chief Kurt Bluder's retirement.

On Monday, the Village Board plans to vote on appointing Bluder to serve as "interim administrative police chief." He was the chief from 2018 to 2021.

Since retiring from La Grange, Bluder has worked in security for Hinsdale High School District 86, most recently being appointed director of security.

As interim chief, Bluder would work as an independent contractor and get no benefits. The agreement would last from June 12 to Aug. 15, which is six days before classes begin for the new year in District 86.

Under a proposed agreement, Bluder would be paid $4,000 a week.

In Wardlaw's career, he served as an investigator, a field training officer, a squad leader, a patrol sergeant, an investigations supervisor and deputy chief.