McHenry County board to discuss eliminating pensions for elected leaders

The McHenry County Board will weigh in later this month on whether to eliminate pensions for most countywide elected officials after the proposal failed to gain support Wednesday at the committee level.

County Board Chairman Jack Franks introduced the measure last week, saying the move would encourage healthier turnover and save the county "millions" in the long-run. If approved, it would end Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund eligibility for the chairman and seven other elected leaders, effective at the end of their current terms.

The board's human resources committee was expected to consider the resolution during a meeting Wednesday, but a motion to discuss the topic was not seconded.

Board member Craig Wilcox later said the committee was not given enough research or background information to begin conversations, let alone make an informed decision. Additionally, he said, Franks wouldn't have been able to answer questions because he didn't attend the meeting.

"For me, I couldn't second a motion that I had no data on and no aspects to discuss," Wilcox said. "I would have loved to have seen the chairman there to have discussed the proposal with us."

However, Franks criticized the committee's lack of action, saying some of its members are "rabid obstructionists who desperately cling to the status quo." He intends to bring the proposal forward at the upcoming committee of the whole and county board meetings, where he believes it will be more favorably received.

"I'm not deterred at all," Franks said. "Our taxpayers are fleeing because of the crushing property tax burden here. Everything has to be on the table to help alleviate that."

The resolution would not eliminate any IMRF credit already accrued by officials, he said. They would also still be able to contribute to a 401(k)-style retirement plan.

HR committee Chairman John Jung said Franks' proposal seems to be a logical step after county board members voted last year to end their IMRF participation. He said he was surprised and disappointed by the committee's failure to move on something that would save the county money.

"I just can't figure out why people talk about being fiscally conservative, and then when they have a chance to do it, (they) don't do it," Jung said. "I think it's still an idea worth exploring."

Wilcox and board member Michael Rein, who is also on the committee, said they aren't opposed to learning more about Franks' proposal and his ideas for pension reform.

"I can't make a decision based on something that I don't really know much about," Rein said.

The elected positions potentially affected by the proposal include the chairman, coroner, clerk, circuit clerk, auditor, recorder, treasurer and sheriff. The state's attorney was originally included on that list but was later removed because his salary is determined by the state, not the county, Franks said.