Candidates split on Kane County pay issues

The two candidates in the Kane County Board District 25 Republican primary are split over how to provide equalized pay and benefits for county workers and board committee pay and attendance.

District 25, in western Kane County, covers Hampshire, Rutland, Burlington, Plato and Virgil townships.

Challenger Thomas "T.R." Smith of Maple Park said Tuesday that in order to equalize pay and benefits across county departments, a citizens committee should be put together to look at the department heads' salaries, as it has in the past for elected officials, he said Tuesday.

"What's fair is fair," he said.

Incumbent Robert Kudlicki, a Hampshire resident and seven-year board member, said flatly that he believes the county has taken steps to make sure union and nonunion workers are currently treated the same. Kudlicki did not specify on what those steps were, however.

The candidates also differ on whether the county board members should be paid for serving on various committees.

Kudlicki said he believes getting paid forces members to attend. Smith said they should not receive extra pay in addition to their annual salary of $23,000.