Winnebago County board approves amended 2026 appropriation ordinance, adds pay-adjustment parity for public defenders

The Winnebago County Board voted to adopt the amended Annual Appropriation Ordinance for 2026 after passing several amendments, including one to align cost-of-living adjustments for the Public Defender's Office with those granted to the State's Attorney's Office.

The amendment, moved by County Board member John Sweeney and seconded by Commissioner Fellers, directs that public defenders receive the same 4% cost-of-living adjustment plus a 1% longevity increase "for those eligible," matching the recommendation the State's Attorney had requested for its staff. County finance staff told the board the difference between the originally published budgets was about $8,000 and that, because of attrition and vacant positions, staff expected the adjustment to be achievable within the adopted budget.

The ordinance was introduced and moved for passage by County Board member John Butida and seconded by Mr. Penny. Board members discussed procedural points and several minor amendments that were described in a printed amendment sheet distributed to members. After amendments were read into the record and approved, the full amended ordinance was adopted by voice vote with no recorded opposition among members present.

County Chief Financial Officer Steve Schultz explained the mechanics of the pay adjustment during debate, saying the State's Attorney recommended 4% plus 1% longevity for eligible employees and that one of the Public Defender's budget lines had already reflected 4% while another reflected 3.5%, producing an estimated $8,000 difference. Schultz told the board the office could implement the parity direction and remain within budget given current vacancies.

Board members who questioned the change emphasized principle and parity between attorneys serving different parts of the criminal justice system; supporters said the change was financially minor and a signal of equal valuation. No roll-call tally for the final ordinance passage was recorded in the transcript beyond the chair's direction to "cast yes for all members present." The board completed the budget item and moved on.

The ordinance implements the county's annual spending plan for 2026; the board also approved minor line-item amendments described in committee and distributed to members before final passage.

Budget watchers and departments will receive the finalized ordinance once clerks complete the formal paperwork and insert the amended pages into the official appropriation document.