Excerpts from patch.com:

 La Grange Fire Chief Terry Vavra is leaving the fire department at month’s end before he turns 65, which officials said was the mandatory retirement age for firefighters in Illinois.

Vavra took the helm in June 2019. He has been a firefighter for more than 45 years, having been chief of departments in Norridge Park and Buffalo Grove.

“You led La Grange during some difficult times with COVID,” the village president said. “You were always professional and made sure the department was respected by neighboring villages.”

Vavra said he learned of the character of La Grange firefighters during his 2019 swearing-in ceremony, when almost the entire department was present.

The board voted to appoint John Buckley, former chief of the Pleasantview Fire District, as the interim chief while officials conduct a search.

thanks Rob