Kirchenberg Pledges to Slash Forest Preserve Commissioner's Salary by 50%

Don Kirchenberg, District 2 candidate for DuPage County Forest Preserve wants to slash commissioners compensation. Kirchenberg is challenging incumbant Commissioner Joe Cantore who is seeking his third term.

DuPage Forest Preserve Commissioners are currently paid $53,500/yr, plus health insurance, pension and cell phone. Last year, Cantore's compensation for the part-time postition included a salary of $56,912/yr, plus $13,949 in health insurance premiums paid by the District for a total compensation of $70,861/yr. In addition, commissioners recieve a taxpayer provided cell phone. Cantore also participates in the IMRF pension plan which makes him eligible to collect a pension of up to 80% of his salary.

Kirchenberg is advocting to slash the commissioners salary to $25,000.

"It's way too much money. Voter I talk to are upset about these salaries. If elected, I will NOT take a pension and I will work to reduce benefits for part-time commissioners." Kirchenberg stated.

Forest Preserve commissioners reduced their pay, but not their benefits, last year. Forest Preserve commissioner salaries were reduced from $57,000/yr to $53,500/yr which exceeds the $50,000 salary of elected DuPage Board Members.

All other surrounding Forest Preserve Commissioners (Kane, Will, Lake, McHenry, Cook Counties) receive $0 to $3000 per year, or a $30 per diem per meeting.

Kirchenberg charges that the current Board of Commissioners at the DuPage Forest Preserve are more interested in maintaining their own salaries and benefits than studying the issues and protecting taxpayers interests.

"The current commissioners vote as a block with little to no open discussion. They want their high salaries and benefits, so they don't challenge the status quo."

It's time for CHANGE at the Forest Preserve.

Learn more about Don Kirchenberg for DuPage County Forest Preserve here:

http://citizensforkirchenberg.blogspot.com/