Highland Park has officially approved its city budget for the fiscal year 2023, and while the budget itself was unanimously approved, some City Council members shared concerns about aspects within it.
Council member Michelle Holleman noted during the meeting that in the proposed compensation plan for city employees, two grade levels for nonexempt employees — 3 and 4 — would receive a minimum salary of $13.38 and $14.67 per hour, respectively.
She was concerned that, with Illinois set to implement a statewide minimum wage of $15 per hour by 2025, potential employees in these grades would be underpaid.
Addressing those concerns, city Human Resources Manager Emily Taub explained that the compensation policy is set by an analysis involving 10 competencies for each type of position, and Taub also clarified that Highland Park does not currently have any employees that are within those classifications.
“We have no one in those ranges, and they’re on there to allow for possibilities,” she said. “But at this point, we have no positions recommended to be filled in those ranges either.”
Additionally, Taub said that, while Illinois does not currently have a $15 minimum wage, when that does become the law, city staff will be aware of it and adjust salaries accordingly.
Following board discussion, the council members agreed to amend the compensation plan so that all employees hired by the City would make at least $15 per hour. The amended plan passed unanimously.
A new fee structure...
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