Several Knox County officials are getting cost of living pay increases.
The 4.6% salary bumps for Knox County State’s Attorney Jeremy Karlin, Public Defender David Hansen, and Sheriff Jack Harlan are mandated by the Illinois Department of Revenue.
Karlin’s salary will increase to $197,436.44, Hansen’s to $177,692.80, and Harlan’s to $157,949.15.
Knox County Board Chair Jared Hawkinson said per a request in committee, Treasurer Robin Davis reached out to the state to determine what would happen if the county didn’t give the increases.
“Basically the first line is that the COLA increases are mandatory by statute,” Hawkinson said. “Period. So there you have it.”
The board approved the pay increases on a 14-1 vote, with District Two’s Greg “Chops” Bacon voting against. The board also approved a budget amendment to allow for the salary increases with Bacon the lone no vote.
The state sets the salary for state’s attorneys based on population and pays two-thirds of the cost, with the rest coming from local dollars.
The state also pays two-thirds of the public defender’s salary if its set at 90% of what the state’s attorney makes.
Last year, new legislation mandated that counties set the sheriff’s salary at 80% of the state’s attorney, with two-thirds of that paid by the personal property replacement tax.
In other business, the board approved a resolution on timeclock entry protocol for county employees.
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