La Grange has hired a former Oak Brook police official to lead the La Grange Police Department until a new police chief is hired.
The La Grange Village Board on April 12 approved a contract with Jason Cates to be the village’s interim police chief for $3,000 a week.
The contract expires Dec. 31, 2021 or a date determined by the village, with seven days notice if the contract is terminated earlier, and 21 days notice if the contract is extended past Dec. 31 and Cates agree to adjust the term.
Cates retired in January 2021 as deputy chief of the Oak Brook Police Department.
In a memo to the Village Board, the Board President Mark Kuchler and Village Manager Andrianna Peterson wrote, Cates “has demonstrated leadership in modern police management and has strong communication skills.”
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He has over 28 years of experience in policing, has graduated from the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command, and has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
The memo states village officials continue to evaluate options for the replacement of Kurt Bluder who retired as La Grange police chief in January. For about a month, Deputy Police Chief Dave Rohlicek was promoted to acting chief of the department, but he too retired Feb. 19.
Cates will work as an independent contractor, and not a village employee, so he will not be eligible for health Insurance, pension plans or other benefits, La Grange officials said.