By: Diane Benjamin
This County Board meeting took place 5/14/2026. 3 Board members didn’t attend – Ziebarth(R), Cline(D), Farley(D).
All 3 will be on the on November ballot.
The members present spent close to 36 minutes debating their salaries. The motion on the floor was to go from $4900 a year to $6400. Since the conversation was EXTENSIVE, the minutes don’t reflect everything that was said: https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/AgendaCenter/County-Board-1#docaccess-fc612df2dbc6c3885d1136a05c1f9dcb
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Three Democrats present that ARE on the November ballot voted to increase salaries: Mendoza, Beirne, and Bell. The salary increase is out of line with the surrounding counties. I believe Bell and Beirne mentioned wanting more diversity – like people who need the money running for the board. Ever take financial advice from someone living paycheck-to-paycheck? Want those people making spending decisions and deciding tax rates? I bet “tax the rich” originates here.
After defeating the increase another motion was made to keep salaries flat. It passed.
I wonder if the County is earning income off the ads inserted in the meeting video? Just in that 36 minutes there are at least 4.
If you don’t understand the very clear difference between Democrat governance and Republican, watch this conversation.
In case you forgot, Illinois legislators raised their salaries for a part time job: https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-state-lawmakers-boost-their-own-pay/
Excerpts:
Since 2019, Illinois lawmakers have given themselves several raises, totaling $30,000 in base pay alone. That 44% increase in the $98,000 base pay is nearly double the 25.6% salary increase Illinoisans have seen since 2019. Lawmakers are paid for committee assignments and leadership positions that drive pay up to as much as $128,000.
The states with the highest-paid lawmakers also have high corruption. Illinois remains the second-most corrupt state in the nation.
Just hit PLAY to here comments by people who claim to represent you:
Mendoza is not running for re-election. Jennifer Brown (democrat) and Kevin lower are running to replace her in district 9.
It’s also absurd the argument from Democrats that they put in all this time for their board positions and need to get paid more. Essentially everything is already delegated to the county administrator, bureaucrats, and the other elected department chiefs like sheriff, clerk, auditor, etc.
If they spend more time then just reviewing board agenda items, attending the 2x a month meetings, or answering a few emails, it’s because they have vain visions of grandeur to remake the county government into something it’s not to fit their socialist agendas. New this, new that, I have to go to this special event for a new organization getting a new taxpayer handout, so I can repost it on my Facebook page!
TLDR, Board democrats want more pay to make up for the fact they are insanely busy trying to come up with news ways to raise taxes and give away more handouts. So pay up, taxpayers!
Thanks for clarifying