DuPage committee approves pay increase for first assistant regional superintendent after debate; measure passes 11–7

The DuPage County Finance Committee voted 11–7 on May 12 to approve additional compensation for the county’s first assistant regional superintendent of schools.

Vice Chair Cahill moved FIR 83-26, described in the packet as an additional compensation increase for the first assistant regional superintendent of the DuPage County Regional Office of Education. When members sought clarification, a staff member explained: "You are required for by state statute for this position to do it via resolution," and said the county historically has addressed the position by resolution. Staff also explained the state-level salary is uniform across regional superintendents and that the county portion of pay creates a compression issue for local employees after countywide cost-of-living adjustments.

Board members asked for comparisons to neighboring counties and for the total combined salary (state plus county portion). A staff member provided the state portion figure and clarified that the county currently provides an additional local portion; one member corrected the record with specific numbers, saying the current compensation was $138,060 and that the change would raise the county portion to $24,970 for a total above $163,000.

Members exchanged questions about whether the position is mandated by statute and whether similar increases existed elsewhere; staff said only certain Cook-area boards had added additional compensation following separate salary studies. After discussion the board took a roll-call vote: the motion passed 11–7.

The action moves the compensation adjustment forward by resolution as required by state statute; the transcript records follow-up budgeting and implementation will proceed under county procedures.