LaSalle County broadens posted salary range for nursing-home administrator to attract licensed candidates

The LaSalle County Salary and Labor Committee voted on Dec. 25 to broaden the posted salary range for the county nursing-home administrator position after staff and the interim coordinator said the original range had not attracted sufficiently qualified, licensed candidates.

Committee discussion referenced the 30-day posting window and feedback from the interim administrator that the prior range — described in the meeting as "90 to a 110" — was “too low to attract what we need and want.” Members discussed possible upper-range targets (comments included a suggested high end of 120–130) and the need to post the higher range to comply with Department of Labor-related transparency rules so the county would be able to offer more than the originally posted top salary.

The committee then moved to broaden the advertised range; the meeting record states the new posted range as $100–140 and the motion passed by voice vote. Members also discussed the cost of the current interim administrator, including agency placement fees; one committee member characterized the annualized cost for the interim placement (including fees) as "effectively paying for that position $208,000 a year." Staff said the interim brings 20–30 years of experience but that hiring the interim permanently would trigger a buyout fee and additional expense.

Staff said they would monitor applicant responses for the coming 30 days and return to the committee with an update. The committee did not adopt a specific hire at this meeting.