Committee Recommends Significant Salary Increase for County Elected Officials
January Committee Meeting
Article Summary: The Finance & Budget Committee has recommended setting salaries for the County Clerk, Treasurer, and Circuit Clerk at 60 percent of the State’s Attorney’s salary, which would result in a substantial raise beginning in late 2026.
Salary Resolution Key Points:
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New Formula: Salaries for specific elected offices would be pegged at 60% of the State’s Attorney’s salary, which is set by the State of Illinois.
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Financial Impact: Based on the 2026 State’s Attorney salary of $169,866, the new salary for these officials would be approximately $101,919, up from the current $77,177.
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Implementation: If approved by the full board, the change would take effect Dec. 1, 2026, for the Treasurer and County Clerk, following the next election cycle.
The Montgomery County Board’s Finance & Budget Committee on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, voted to recommend a resolution that would significantly restructure how salaries are determined for the County Clerk/Recorder, Treasurer, and Circuit Clerk.
Acting on data compiled by Circuit Clerk Daniel Robbins and a resolution drafted by County Clerk Sandy Leitheiser, the committee discussed tying county elected official salaries to a percentage of the State’s Attorney’s salary. Under state law, the State’s Attorney’s compensation is set by the State of Illinois.
The committee debated various percentages, reviewing data that showed 2026 salaries for the clerk, treasurer, and circuit clerk at $77,177. By comparison, appointed department heads such as the County Engineer and Public Defender are set to earn $137,546 and $152,879 respectively in 2026.
Committee member Dr. Patty Whitworth expressed support for the change, stating she favored linking salaries to the State’s Attorney and believed substantial raises for elected officials were “long overdue.” Conversely, committee member Evan Young voted against the measure, arguing that elected officials are aware of the salary before they run for office and that the positions typically attract qualified candidates regardless.
The committee voted to recommend a resolution setting the salaries at 60 percent of the annual salary of the State’s Attorney. With the State’s Attorney’s 2026 salary listed at $169,866, the new formula would set the county officials’ base pay at approximately $101,919.
The resolution notes that this base compensation is separate from additional stipends mandated by Illinois law for specific statutory duties. The recommendation will move to the full County Board for final consideration.
Meeting Briefs
Ambulance Service Contracts:
The Finance & Budget Committee reviewed and recommended approval of FY2026 Special Service Area Ambulance Contracts for Farmersville-Waggoner (119,700), Nokomis-Witt ($438,943), and Hillsboro ($300,000)
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