Madison County board to put advisory questions on November ballot about rehiring retirees and legislative pay
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Summary
The Madison County Board voted July 15 to place two advisory referendum questions on the Nov. 3 ballot: whether retired county employees should be permitted to draw both pensions and county salaries, and whether Illinois legislators should stop automatic annual pay increases.
The Madison County Board voted July 15 to place two advisory questions on the Nov. 3, 2020 county ballot, asking voters to weigh in on whether retired Madison County employees and officials drawing a pension should be permitted to also draw a salary for county service, and whether members of the Illinois General Assembly should end automatic annual salary increases.
The measures are non‑binding. Chris Guy, chair of the Government Relations Committee, told the board the questions were intended to give voters a voice on issues tied to state and local pension stress and public confidence in government pay practices. “This gives the taxpayers of Madison County an opportunity to weigh in,” Guy said. Supporters cited Illinois’s underfunded pension systems and the optics of pensioned officials returning to county work.
Opponents argued the countywide advisory on rehiring retirees could deter experienced public servants and noted the referendum would not affect federal pensions or retirees from other governments. In debate, Michael Holliday asked whether the question would bar veterans or federal retirees from county service; Guy replied that it would not and reiterated the advisory nature of the ballot language.
On the pension‑rehire question, the board approved placement by roll call, 15–9. The second resolution, asking whether Illinois lawmakers should stop automatic pay increases, passed 22–2. Proponents said the legislative question was a way to signal constituent concern about state fiscal policy amid the COVID‑19 recession; Judy Harriss called automatic increases “absolutely offensive” at a time of high unemployment.
Because both are advisory, passage would not change law but could be used by local officials and advocacy groups to press the state legislature or shape local policy discussions. The county clerk was directed to certify each question and notify state officials as required under the Election Code.