West Cook News

The United Southland Republican Women have recognized Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison (R-Palos Park) for his stance against giving himself and other Cook County Commissioners a pay increase. 

Morrison was one of four commissioners to vote against the 10% pay increase, but the 13 others voted for it, a recent report from Patch said. The 10% salary hike will take effect in December along with the annual 3% raise that continues indefinitely. Each of the commissioners will now earn $93,500 rather than $85,000, with the exception of the finance chairperson, who will earn $99,000.

"Thank you to the United Southland Republican Women for acknowledging my NO vote on pay raises for Cook County elected officials," Morrison said in a recent Facebook post.

Morrison shared a Facebook post from the United Southland Republican Women that commended him for his "no" vote, saying, "Thank you Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison, one of only four votes against the pay hike."

The only other Republican commissioner, Peter Silvestri (R-Elmwood Park), voted for the pay raises, Patch reported. Morrison, who represents the 17th District, along with Democrats Frank Aguilar of the 16th District, Luis Arroyo of the 8th District and Dennis Deer of the 2nd District all voted against it. 

Several organizations, including the League of Women Voters and the Chicago Civic Federation, were opposed to the automatic annual pay increases. Laurence Msall, Civil Federation president, told Patch that if there was a need for pay adjustments, the commissioners should look at their job duties and responsibilities rather than giving themselves an automatic raise each year.