Mount Prospect board rejects giving themselves raises

Mount Prospect trustees discussed their own salaries this week.

And the conclusion reached at Tuesday's Committee of the Whole meeting is that the trustees are fine with their current compensation.

Mayor Arlene Juracek makes $8,500 dollars per year, which includes payment for her job as liquor commissioner as well. The trustees each make $2,750.

Trustee A. John Korn, who made sure the issue was discussed, said, "We're at the bottom of the heap (compared to other communities), as far as what the actual income is, and I'm very happy to stay at the bottom of the heap."

Korn pointed out that the issue was not just the current trustees' pay, but those who are elected after them.

Trustee Richard Rogers said, "It just shows that we are doing it for the love of Mount Prospect, not for our personal gain."

Trustee Paul Hoefert, who voted against the last increase too, said trustees sit on the dais out of love of community and out of a spirit of giving back.

"It's not about the money," he said, adding that he has never put in for expenses in 24 years. "Even if it were zero, that would be fine with me."

He also asked, "If you dramatically increase the amount of money, does the 'why' change for some people?"

Trustee Steven Polit said, "You do it because you think you can bring something to the village."

Polit said he understands people's frustration with officials in other communities who find creative ways to get compensated, with some getting paid by the meeting.

"It isn't a hard job. It's just time-consuming," he said. "We put a lot of thought into what we do and we all feel that the compensation we get is fair."

Trustee John Matuszak said the mayor puts in a lot of time and suggesting taking another look at her salary, just because of the time commitment and the dedication it requires.

Juracek said it is worth discussing, but for another meeting, not necessarily Tuesday's meeting, which focused on the budget.

"I'm not looking for more money, personally," she added. "It need not be tied to a budget discussion, given that (even) a 100 percent increase isn't going to make a real dent in the budget in any way, shape or form."