LaSalle County Board members talked a long time today about what they should be paid. But they’re not ready yet to make a decision. Meeting as the committee of the whole, they sent the question to the Finance, Salary, and Labor Committee. Board Chairman Don Jensen agrees it doesn’t look like they made much progress.
The board has about a month to decide whether to raise the per diem pay—what a board member gets for going to a meeting—from $60 in time for the change to take effect when new terms start in December. It’s been at that amount since 1994. Members also get mileage, some qualify for health insurance, and some are still in the pension system.
Member Mike Kasap announced today, he’s leaving the pension system because he now thinks he doesn’t deserve to be in it. Among the things talked about in today’s meeting was phasing out health insurance, so new members and current members who don’t already use the county’s coverage would have to pay the full price if they want it.