Montgomery County Board Approves 54 Percent Salary Benchmark for Elected Officials After Debate

Montgomery County Board Meeting | February 10, 2026

Article Summary: The Montgomery County Board formally established the upcoming compensation rates for three elected official positions, passing resolutions that peg the salaries for the County Treasurer, County Clerk, and Circuit Clerk to 54% of the State’s Attorney’s salary. The approved benchmark came after a spirited debate over appropriate pay increases and public perception.

Elected Official Salary Key Points:

• The board approved tying the salaries of the Treasurer, County Clerk, and Circuit Clerk to 54% of the State’s Attorney’s annual salary, effective December 1, 2026.

• The State’s Attorney’s 2026 salary is set at $169,866.

• Resolution 2026-03, setting the rate for the Treasurer and County Clerk, passed in an 8-6 vote.

• Ordinance 2026-04, setting the rate for the Circuit Clerk, passed in a 10-4 vote.

The Montgomery County Board on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, voted to significantly adjust the compensation structure for three countywide elected officials, ultimately agreeing to tie their upcoming salaries to 54% of the Illinois State’s Attorney’s base pay.

The salary adjustments, which will take effect on December 1, 2026, for the incoming term, sparked a lengthy debate during the board meeting. The Finance & Budget Committee had initially recommended setting the salaries for the County Clerk, Treasurer, and Circuit Clerk at 60% of the State’s Attorney’s salary, which is set by the State of Illinois at $169,866 for 2026.

However, several board members pushed back against the 60% proposal, which would have resulted in raises of nearly $25,000 for the positions. Board member Evan Young stated he believed the suggested raises were “too much” and suggested a benchmark of 49% to 50%. Board member Bill Bergen agreed, noting that the offices typically attract qualified candidates at their current pay rates.

Other board members defended the substantial increases. Board member Andy Ritchie argued that the elected officials are professionals and that the raises are “long overdue.” Board member Patty Whitworth added that county employees have recently been receiving larger percentage raises than elected officials, leaving the officeholders underpaid when compared to the heavy responsibilities of their positions. Board member Chris Daniels noted that over the past four-year term, elected officials received annual raises of just $2,200.

Seeking a middle ground, board member Mark Hughes proposed a compromise benchmark of 54%.

Following the discussion, Ritchie and Jeremy Jones introduced an amended motion to approve Resolution 2026-03, establishing the 54% salary benchmark for the Treasurer and County Clerk. The resolution passed in a narrow 8-6 roll call vote. Board members Connie Beck, Rob Corso, Chris Daniels, Mark Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Ethan Murzynski, Andy Ritchie, and Patty Whitworth voted yes. Board members Russell Beason, Bill Bergen, Doug Donaldson, Keith Hancock, Chad Ruppert, and Evan Young voted no.

Immediately following, Ritchie and Jones introduced Ordinance 2026-04, applying the same 54% salary standard to the Circuit Clerk. That ordinance passed in a 10-4 roll call vote, with Beason and Ruppert shifting to “yes” votes.

Chairman Doug Donaldson noted that if voters eventually choose to make the Supervisor of Assessments an elected office rather than an appointed one, the newly established salary formula could potentially apply to that position as well in the future.