The debate over whether to increase pay for elected officials in Will County has the boardroom buzzing, with some members open to boosting pay for countywide roles but showing less enthusiasm for padding their own pockets. According to The Herald-News, the Will County Board hasn't green-lighted a salary hike for its officials since 2005—a streak that could either continue or be broken based on upcoming discussions.
Despite the fact that the current salaries for board members and countywide officials have been frozen in time for nearly a decade and a half, the climate is one of fiscal caution. Few members seem inclined to advocate for an increase in their stipend of $23,900, which has remained unchanged since 2009. "Right now, this is a public servant’s job, and I think we’re fairly compensated," board Member Jim Richmond, R-Mokena, told The Herald News.
Meanwhile, officials weigh the idea of raising the pay for countywide roles, with board member Jacqueline Traynere, D-Bolingbrook, suggesting that adjusted for the Consumer Price Index, County Board pay would be at $36,000 today. The discussion, which some view as preliminary, must lead to a decision by June 5—a state-mandated deadline to cement salaries for officials ahead of the November elections, as per the Chicago Tribune.
Recorder of Deeds Karen Stukel is among those advocating for an increase. "I’m making exactly what I made when I came in in 2008," Stukel stamped her statement with sixteen years of experience, hoping for a bump in earnings. Despite a cooler approach to their own salaries, board members were more open to the idea of increasing compensation for roles such as the coroner, auditor, and recorder of deeds, all of which haven't seen an uptick since 2007.
As the clock ticks toward the June deadline, Will County Board members will have to balance the books and public service philosophy with the economic realities of 2024. With the Consumer Price Index pointing toward a value far north of current salaries and incumbents vying for seats in the upcoming election, decisions made in the coming weeks could mean a change in the financial trajectory for a handful of elected officials.
