Lake County Board chairman's pay up for discussion
The salary of the Lake County Board chairman is scheduled for discussion, but recommending a raise may be a non-starter as the person holding the position says he wouldn't want one.
The county board chairman's compensation is on the board's financial and administrative committee agenda Wednesday. By law, the salaries of all countywide officials are to be set at least six months before a general election, but that discussion usually comes later in the year.
Finance committee member S. Michael Rummel of Lake Forest advanced the subject, saying the county board expects the chairman to interact with all the other counties and considers the position a full-time job. He maintains the current compensation isn't fair for the time invested in the job and suggests it should gradually increase to a level similar to that of other county officials. Lake County's recorder, circuit clerk and coroner, for example, all made $121,712 in 2015.
Aaron Lawlor, who was selected by his county board peers as chairman in 2012, said he doesn't support the idea. He said he is honored to hold the spot, which according to county records came with $92,937 in total compensation for 2015.
"I knew what the compensation was when I ran for the job. It's a fair discussion but I don't think it's appropriate to make a substantial increase," to bring it in line with similar positions in other counties, he said.
Information provided by the county shows Lawlor's salary is on the lower end compared with top board spots in other areas, and trails Cook, Kane, Will and DuPage in that regard. In terms of per capita compensation, Lawlor was the third lowest among seven area counties and was the second lowest in terms of per-employee compensation.
Committee member Steve Mandel of Highland Park, who has been vocal about the need to cut layers of government, said he opposes a raise for the county board chairman. He said the position is not elected by the public, "which is a biggie in my book" and is a different type of job than in other counties where it is a management position.
Lawlor said his opinion on salary doesn't diminish the position, which has a "very important role with a lot of responsibility," involving various county matters.
However, the issue may remain dormant for now as Rummel said it could be deferred as part of a discussion involving all elected officials.
Lawlor, of Vernon Hills, is expected to face a challenge in the November election for his 18th District county board seat from Democrat Gerri Songer of Hawthorn Woods.