Burr Ridge Mayor Seeks Pay Hike

BURR RIDGE, IL — Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso is proposing a pay raise for the next mayoral term. If the Village Board approves such a hike, the mayor's pay would rise to $30,000, from $6,000 currently.

On Friday, Grasso sent a letter about the issue to the public in the village's weekly newsletter. He said he was seeking public comment on the proposal.

Under state law, the board must approve the increase at least six months before the May 10 election. A pay hike for an elected official cannot happen in the middle of a term.

In his letter, Grasso said the duties of the mayor have increased in the last few years, including with the Sterigenics situation and the ongoing pandemic. For a few months, Grasso was issuing daily statements on the coronavirus.

"Going forward, the mayor must play a stronger role in working with the owners of the Village Center and County Line Square to restore and keep these vital centers full of tenants, formulate premise sanitization programs to keep patrons and workers safe from pathogens, develop the TCF property that will soon be for sale...," Grasso said.

To accommodate the pay hike, Grasso said he has planned changes to the roles and compensation of the administration, planning and finance departments that should save the village more than $100,000 annually in salary and benefits. The changes should take effect before year's end, he said.

Grasso noted most area mayors make little to no compensation. Hinsdale's mayor makes nothing, while Willowbrook's receives $25,000. Like Burr Ridge, he said, mayors in Willow Springs, Darien and Western Springs are modestly compensated.

He encouraged residents to contact him, either by email at ggrasso@burr-ridge.gov or call or text at 312-498-3202.

Grasso, a lawyer, has not announced whether he plans to run again.