Board approves 3.5% (or $1/hr) wage increase for nonunion employees after debate

LaSalle County Board voted on Aug. 14 to grant a wage increase to nonunion county employees of 3.5% or $1 per hour, whichever is greater, following debate about whether to delay until the finance committee completed additional study.

Discussion: Several board members and committee chairs said the finance and salary committees were still reviewing data, including revenue projections and insurance-cost impacts. One board member urged waiting for the finance committeerecommendation; others argued the board should act now. Supporters cited national and private-sector guidance that increases in 2026 are expected in the 2.5% to 3.5% range and said a 3.5% or $1 per hour increase was appropriate.

Opponents raised concerns about budget timing, the pending effect of insurance-cost changes (noting an 80/20 employer/employee split for health insurance) and the boarddecision-making process. Board discussion noted longevity and contract provisions for union employees (a 75¢ per hour raise plus longevity equating to additional cents per hour in negotiated contracts) as context for the nonunion proposal.

Vote: the motion to implement the 3.5% (or $1 per hour, whichever is greater) raise passed by roll call with 16 ayes and 12 nays. The implementation timing discussed in the meeting referenced budget timing and an effective date tied to the county payroll/budget cycle (board members noted December 1 as implementation timing in discussion).