Politics & Government

Palos Heights Official Fired over Department 'Mismanagement'

Building Commissioner James Dougherty is no longer in his position with the City, Mayor Bob Straz said Tuesday.

' Building Commissioner was terminated Friday after giving unsatisfactory answers over the department's operation, Mayor Bob Straz said Tuesday.

James Dougherty was let go last week after being given the chance to request a hearing over what .

Straz said he was unsatisfied with answers to questions about mismanagement of the department the former building commissioner provided during a meeting Friday.

Find out what's happening in Paloswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I didn't like the way the department was being run," Straz said.

Straz has declined to elaborate on exactly what was being mismanaged in the department or on the circumstances surrounding Dougherty being placed on leave earlier this month. Dougherty has been given the opportunity to have a hearing regarding his employment. Employees can request a hearing under the City’s personnel guidelines.

Find out what's happening in Paloswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“He has a right to do that,” Straz said last week.

Dougherty also was being investigated by Palos Heights police. declined to provided information about the .

While the status of the criminal investigation was not immediately clear Tuesday, Delaney said that the investigation would soon come to a close.

Join the conversation. Like Palos Patch on Facebook and sign up for the breaking news alerts!

Want more news?


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here