It's finally payday for Campton Hills board

Payday has finally arrived for the Campton Hills village board.

Eight months after taking office, Village President Patsy Smith and six trustees this week drew their first municipal paychecks.

The board members, who previously opted not to receive salaries for their public service, made the decision to finally cash in their proverbial chips upon legal and financial advice, Smith said Wednesday.

The grand total was $19,377 -- paid out in lump sums of $8,000 to Smith and $1,666.67 to each of the six trustees. Village Clerk Rebecca Lambe was not on the list because she has been paid monthly.

Smith said the board decided to pay itself partly because the lack of that expense has been used against the village in court proceedings involving neighborhoods that want to disconnect from the municipality, which incorporated in April.

Cutting paychecks also will reflect a more accurate budget, Smith said, instead of making it appear the village has outstanding debts.

Smith said officials likely will receive monthly checks moving forward. "There's been no discussion of that," she said, "but I think it would be a valid assumption."

Annual salaries are currently set at $12,000 for the village president; $2,500 for each of the six trustees; and $5,000 for the clerk.

In October, the board voted to raise the village president's salary to $17,000 and the clerk's to $6,000, while reducing trustees' salaries to $2,250. The changes take effect when the next village leaders are seated, following the Feb. 5 election.