La Grange Cops Getting Raises Over Next 4 Years

LA GRANGE, IL – La Grange police officers are in line for raises over the next four years.

The village's last contract with the Fraternal Order of Police expired on April 30.

Under the new agreement, officers are slated to get pay hikes retroactive to May 1. The raises range from 1.3 percent to 3.75 percent, with officers lower on the pay scale getting greater increases.

Officers will see raises of 3 percent in 2027, 2.75 percent in 2028 and 2.75 percent in 2029.

Over the four years, a starting officer's pay will rise to $89,169, from $82,000.

Under the contract, a patrol officer's top pay will increase to $131,579, from $121,000.

In July, the local union approved the contract.

At Monday's Village Board meeting, trustees unanimously voted for the pact. Trustee Shawana McGee was absent because of a family medical emergency, officials said.

"These are not easy contracts," said Trustee Steve Palmer, who was attending his first meeting as a board member. "The fact that our union is happy with this and our staff is happy with this is something to be really proud of."

He added, "When somebody gets a raise, there are other people that are going to want one down the road. And so we do need to look at command staff," Palmer said.

During public comments, resident Al Foreman, a retired certified public accountant, noted the police salary budget dropped by $95,000 for this fiscal year. He asked about the union contract's financial impact.

"My crystal ball indicates that payroll and benefits for the village are on track to exceed budget for the year, and I'm wondering if anybody's got eyes on a forecast for that and, if so, are there mitigation plans to avoid any budget overruns?" Foreman said.