Critics upset Stroger cousin got pay raise

Several Cook County Board commissioners are criticizing Board President Todd Stroger for granting his cousin -- who heads the county finance department -- a 12 percent pay raise after imposing a 1 percentage point sales tax hike on residents.

"This is a little bit over the top to go ahead and afford these kinds of raises," said Commissioner Tim Schneider, a Bartlett Republican, on Monday.

After first touting her below-average salary of $142,820 last year, the county boosted Donna Dunnings' pay recently to nearly $160,000.

The raise exceeds the 3 percent cost-of-living increase most county employees received.

Stroger spokesman Gene Mullins pointed out that Dunnings came in at a salary level below her predecessor last year.

He said the current salary is more fair.