DuPage County Board's Salary Increase Decision Upheld by State's Attorney Amid Transparency Concerns
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin has confirmed that the county board did not violate the state’s Open Meetings Act when it approved salary increases for several countywide elected positions in April. The decision has been challenged by DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek, who requested a review by the Illinois attorney general’s office. Kaczmarek argued that the board failed to provide adequate public notice before the vote, as required by the state’s pension code. The board had increased the proposed salary for the county board chair from $154,390 to $185,000, with further increases planned for the future. Berlin defended the board's actions, stating that the agenda was posted in advance and that the changes were permissible under the Open Meetings Act. The board chair, Deb Conroy, also stated that the board exceeded transparency requirements. 
