Board approves state-mandated salary increases for county's state's attorney, public defender and sheriff

The LaSalle County Board voted July 10 to amend county salary schedules to implement statutorily mandated increases for three elected county offices. The resolution cited the Illinois Compensation Review Board and statutes in the Illinois Compiled Statutes. The resolution sets the LaSalle County State’s Attorney’s salary at $219,325.62 effective July 1, 2025, reflecting a cost-of-living increase identified by the state. Using statutory formulas cited in the resolution, the public defender’s salary was set at 90% of that amount ($197,393.06) and the sheriff’s salary at 80% ($175,460.49). Why it matters: The increases were described in the resolution as required by state law and a budgetary amendment was adopted to reflect the changes and allow the county to seek proper state reimbursement. County officials noted the changes followed guidance and advocacy by the offices’ associations. Vote The resolution passed on a roll-call vote with all present voting aye. The resolution directs county staff to transmit certified copies to the Illinois Department of Revenue to secure any required state reimbursement.