La Grange Top Cop May Return As Village Consultant

LA GRANGE, IL — La Grange's interim police chief is set to become a $65-an-hour consultant for the police department after he leaves the village government next week.

On Monday, the Village Board is expected to vote on a consulting services agreement with interim Police Chief Jason Cates.

Cates, who has served the department since April, is set to pass the torch to Robert Wardlaw, who is taking the oath of office as the new chief.

Under the consulting contract, Cates could work up to 10 hours a week, which would amount to nearly $34,000 a year.

Cates' agreement appears similar to one that the board approved for Kurt Bluder after he retired as chief in January. Bluder made the same wage, with 10 hours as the weekly limit.

Cates' contract calls for remote consulting and mentoring services. It would include engaging external consultants, mentors and trainers with specific expertise and knowledge to help staff and supervisors with their development, according to a village memo.

In the memo, Village Manager Andrianna Peterson said the village recognizes the agreement with Cates is a "unique opportunity due to his knowledge of the Police Department's transition to new policy software and other projects that are still in progress."