by:  Diane Benjamin

County Board Chairman Matt Sorensen is quoted today in the Pantagraph:  “When we look at these salaries, we’re obligated to look around the state”.

He cast the deciding vote for pay increases for the County Clerk, Sheriff, Treasurer, himself, and other board members.   By 2018 the Treasurer and County Clerk will be making over $100,000, the Sheriff over $108,000.

Why are we obligated to look around the state Matt?  Is our Treasurer and County Clerk going to move to another county for more money?  Are the Board members going to quit?  The only thing around the State is other elected officials voting themselves pay raises!

As proof it no longer matters what party you vote for,

these people voted AGAINST the pay raise:

George Wendt Republican

Julie Brandt Democrat Up for election in November (Randall Martin is Nov opponent)

William Caisley Republican

Chuck Erickson Republican  Up for election in November 

Sonny O’Connor Republican Up for election in November 

Ben Owens Republican

Sally Pyne Democrat Up for election in November   (MARK JOHNSON  is Nov opponent)

Erik Rankin Democrat Up for election in November 

Susan Schafer Republican

These people voted FOR the increase:

Matt Sorensen Republican

Don Cavallini Republican  Up for election in November 

Jim Soeldner Republican Up for election in November 

John McIntyre Republican

George Gordon Democrat

Laurie Wollrab Democrat Up for election in November 

Rich Buchanan Republican Up for election in November 

Victoria Harris Democrat

Paul Sagobiano Democrat Up for election in November (Bennett Morris is Nov opponent)

Carlos Robustelli Democrat Up for election in November 

It made no difference what party they claim to be a member of, or if they were up for election this year.  How is your salary?  Getting raises?  Did the board miss the reports of middle class incomes going DOWN?

Sounds like the Board missed the report that 50% of Illinois citizens want to leave the state.  I guess they also missed that people are leaving McLean County NOW!

Remember this next year when assessed property values go up, but the Board claims they are keeping the same tax rates.  You will be paying more for these raises.  They will put a question on the November ballot to eliminate the Auditors Office because they want to get rid of the person holding that office.  They will claim to save money – meanwhile NOBODY will be looking out for you.

Don’t forget, the east-side bypass is still on the table thanks to Matt Sorensen.