McCloy on DuPage County board pay hikes: ‘This is the height of arrogance and self-dealing’
DuPage County officials are facing criticism from conservatives, including Concerned Parents of Illinois founder Kristina McCloy, who say recently approved pay raises come as residents struggle with high property taxes and rising costs.
The raises, approved by the DuPage County Board, take effect after the November 2026 election, beginning with fiscal year 2027.
The largest increase goes to County Board Chair Deb Conroy, whose salary rises from about $137,000 to $185,000 in 2027, a roughly 35% increase, before reaching nearly $198,000 by 2030.County board members also approved phased increases, raising pay from about $52,000 to $62,000 by 2030. The county clerk and treasurer will increase from roughly $151,000 to about $154,000 in 2027, with additional scheduled raises through 2030.
McCloy argued officials should instead be prioritizing taxpayer relief.
“While DuPage families are squeezed by high taxes and cost of living, the very people spending their money just voted themselves massive raises,” McCloy told the DuPage Policy Journal. “This is the height of arrogance and self-dealing. Taxpayers deserve officials who tighten their belts first — not line their own pockets.”
Critics say DuPage residents already face some of the nation’s highest property taxes, with average bills around $8,000 and rates more than double the national average, and argue that continued county spending is worsening affordability.
A Illinois Policy analysis attributed much of the burden to rising pension costs that consume a large share of local tax revenue and crowd out services. Property taxes in the county have also risen faster than inflation over time, adding further pressure on homeowners.
The measure passed 13-4, exposing divisions among Republicans on the board.
Republicans Sam Tornatore, Brian Krajewski, Grant Eckhoff and James Zay voted with the Democratic majority in support.
Tornatore, who donated to Conroy’s 2023 campaign for board chair, played a leading role in pushing for a larger increase for the position. During board discussions, he proposed raising the chair’s salary to $185,000 instead of the previously planned $154,000, arguing the role has become a full-time leadership position with emergency management and countywide operational duties.
Opposition came from Republicans Cindy Cronin Cahill and Kari Galassi, as well as Democrats Melissa Martinez and Lynn LaPlante.
Cronin Cahill argued elected officials should not vote on their own pay and said board service should remain public service rather than a career position.
"I personally do not believe that I should be voting on an increase for my salary or for the salary of this position,” Cronin Cahill said at the meeting.
Conroy defended the increase, describing the board chair role as a demanding “24/7” job requiring availability during evenings, weekends and emergencies.
The board also set the sheriff’s salary at about $175,000 for the next four years and reduced the county’s contribution to the regional superintendent of schools’ salary because most compensation is covered by the state.
McCloy also criticized broader spending practices, including budget transfers, contract renewals, infrastructure projects and intergovernmental agreements, arguing they reflect a pattern of continued expansion.
“DuPage keeps funding programs and partnerships that often benefit areas outside the county while core local priorities and real tax relief get sidelined,” McCloy said. “The lack of aggressive Republican pushback on both the big spending items and these pay hikes is what enables this culture to continue.”
She has also opposed past funding votes for nonprofit services, subsidized housing and regional agencies, arguing Republican board members have often joined Democrats in supporting measures she views as expanding government beyond DuPage County. These include a $4.8 million allocation for Democrat-aligned non-profits as well as a $1.75 million housing project in Glen Ellyn.
Conservative radio hosts Jeanne Ives and Amy Jacobson also criticized the raises, particularly focusing on Tornatore’s support for the larger increase for Conroy.
The DuPage County GOP also amplified the criticism through social media tying the raises to rising property taxes and broader affordability concerns in Illinois.
“This is all completely unsustainable and voting to continue it because you don’t like Trump is a great way to get the value of your house obliterated,” the DuPage County Republicans said on Facebook.
Meanwhile, Conroy defended the raise, describing the board chair role as a demanding “24/7” position requiring availability during evenings, weekends and emergencies.
“As you all probably expect, I get calls when necessary, evenings, early mornings and weekends, and it is an absolute privilege to serve in this role,” Conroy said after the vote.
Conroy served as a state representative for a decade before becoming board chair.
In 2022, she faced backlash from Illinois residents after introducing a Covid pandemic-era public health bill that opponents said could allow quarantine or isolation measures for unvaccinated individuals, arguing it represented an expansion of government authority over personal medical choices.