Mokena Approves Increase Of Salaries For Elected Officials

MOKENA, IL — At its Dec. 9 meeting, the Mokena village board approved the adjustment of compensation levels of Mokena's elected officials. The salaries of the village president, liquor commissioner, village trustee and village clerk were all increased.

The salaries will not be adjusted until the new election cycle for each position, which is 2021 for the village president and village clerk, 2021 for three of the village trustee positions and 2023 for the remaining three village trustee positions.

At the board meeting, village administrator John Tomasoski said the compensation for elected officials had not been adjusted since 2000. The total compensation levels previously were: $9,300 for the village president, which includes $1,800 because he also serves as liquor commissioner; $4,200 for village trustees; and $4,800 for the village clerk.

Tomasoski said village staff surveyed 13 similarly sized suburbs. According to board documents, survey averages for salaries showed $16,092 for the village president; $3,581 for the liquor commissioner; $8,059 for village trustee; and $9,273 for village clerk.

The new compensation levels reflect the position workload and responsibilities, the board's conservative fiscal policy, and information from comparable communities, Tomasoski said.

The new compensation levels are: village president, $12,500; liquor commissioner, $2,500; village trustee, $7,500; and village clerk, $6,000. The village president also serves as liquor commissioner so the total compensation would be $15,000.

"None of us are in this for the money," Trustee George Metanias said at the meeting. "But after about 20 years, I think it's time for an adjustment."

The board, including Mayor Frank Fleischer, unanimously approved the adjustment of salaries.