Here's the full content of her remarks that caused
this story to change:
Good morning. My name is Jean Kaczmarek. I’m a candidate for County Clerk.
I’m stood here before this board, and the previous board, about overlapping issues regarding government entities I follow closely.
Today I’m here regarding another overlapping issue. I read in the news about the hiring of a new executive director and his proposed salary. Because it was so sudden, I was interested in the procedure. I have concerns that a potential Open Meetings Act violation took place on August 19th.
The OMA reads: At least 6 days before an employer participating in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund approves an employee's total compensation package that is equal to or in excess of $150,000 per year, the employer must post on its website the total compensation package for that employee.
The spirit of the OMA is all about open government. The specific intent of this section of the law is to prevent pension abuse; this includes government employees and officials who are about to receive significant pay increases and ultimately pension bumps. I’m not an attorney, so I cannot determine if the letter of the law was followed. I do know that the Illinois AG’s office takes spirit and intent seriously when it comes to open government.
In May, I brought this same matter to the attention of the DuPage County Board when they were about to vote for raises for elected officials receiving compensation packages of $150,000 or more. The County Board halted the vote on the agenda and held a special board meeting one week later.
It’s a matter of debate whether board members should be aware of every detail in the statute. It ISN’T a matter of debate regarding those who advise you.
The public isn’t allowed in executive session, so I can only speculate if your board secretary, was there. If he was, did he bring this OMA issue to your attention? After all, he was at the County Board meeting last May. If there’s any advantage to having the County Clerk having duo positions, this would have been such a time.
If an OMA violation took place when you approved the salary of your new executive director, does this invalidate his contract? Or, did your new executive director, who is an attorney working for the chief judge, clear any legal questions before you hired him?
