Victory for Rock Island Community

by Kate Piercy Last week the Rock Island County Board decided to give its local elected officials significant pay raises, increasing some by more than $10,000 a year. The Illinois Policy Institute responded, calling on the county board to reverse the salary increases, stand up for fiscal responsibility, vote down the pay raises, and focus...

by Kate Piercy

Last week the Rock Island County Board decided to give its local elected officials significant pay raises, increasing some by more than $10,000 a year.

The Illinois Policy Institute responded, calling on the county board to reverse the salary increases, stand up for fiscal responsibility, vote down the pay raises, and focus on developing spending efficiencies to address the soaring local budget gap.

John Tillman, CEO of the Institute, remarked, “Taxpayers in the Rock Island area should make their voice heard on this issue, and Rock Island County board members who supported these raises should commit to working immediately to repair the damage. Taxpayers deserve financial responsibility and accountability.”

Well, the calls for fiscal responsibility worked, and yesterday, the Rock Island County Board passed a motion to amend salaries and lock them in at 2010 levels for the next four years. It passed 22-2.

The people of Rock Island took a stand and changed the spending behavior of their elected officials, and they are a great example of what any community can do to change the spending behavior of government. Want to get to work in your own community?