How Much Illinois Township Pays Elected Officials and Administrators Depends on Number of Terms

Thornton Township in Cook County, Illinois has come under fire for its wacky pay scale for local officials, paying them based on how many terms they’ve served. That makes for an uneven system where a first-term trustee makes $11,195 while doing the same job as an eighth-term trustee making $41,540.

The pay scale was recently uncovered by the Edgar County Watchdogs thanks to an open records request, which showed that in 2020, Thornton Township approved a new pay scale for its elected officials, with salaries based on seniority.

For their town supervisor, which ranges widely based on whether the board wants a part-time or full-time supervisor, the pay ranges from $48,400 and $202,950. For township assessors, their pay can be anywhere from $29,225 to $101,075. Township trustees can make between $11,195 and $41,540.

All positions take eight terms to max out compensation. The clerk and trustees each serve four-year terms, so politicians who stick around for 32 years get the highest pay.

Critics like the Edgar County Watchdogs argue that starting elected officials at such a low salary is meant to discourage outsiders from getting involved in government, while rewarding career politicians with continuous pay raises.

Politicians shouldn’t have a monetary incentive to stay in office forever.

A government official should be paid a modest but fair salary that is competitive and standardized, not one that changes based on how long they hold onto power.

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