Appeal promised in Kane pay raise lawsuit

An Elburn man has vowed to continue his fight against Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay, who he says improperly authorized raises for 14 senior county employees that could have taxpayers on the hook for $20 million in salaries and pensions.

Kane County Judge Thomas Mueller Wednesday threw out a lawsuit that James MacRunnels, who unsuccessfully ran for the GOP nomination for county board chairman in 2008, filed against McConnaughay in December.

“We will definitely appeal,” said MacRunnels, who said he was disappointed but not surprised by the ruling. “It’s not over yet. Stay tuned.”

In the suit, MacRunnels argued that the county’s Executive Committee, not McConnaughay, had the authority to give out raises and that the final tally could be $20 million in salaries and pensions. However, the suit did not say how much the raises were for nor when they were approved.

“I’m not saying the county board broke the law. I’m saying the chairman broke the law with her own act,” MacRunnels said.

McConnaughay said the lawsuit was frivolous and a “shameful waste” of taxpayer dollars.

“We knew it was completely without merit and borne out of a political grudge,” she said.

MacRunnels said Mueller’s ruling didn’t directly address who was allowed to give out raises, only that it was based on previous case law.

A new date has been set for May 24 in which MacRunnels and his attorney, William King, who did not return phone messages, will ask Mueller to reconsider his decision.