The salaries for the officials of the largest township in McHenry County have been set and they are high enough so that they might lure some competition.

• Supervisor – $61,119.35, plus full benefits
• Highway Commissioner – $84,167.09, plus full benefits
• Assessor – $76,151.18, plus full benefits
• Clerk – $16,031.83, plus Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund pension benefits
• Trustees – $2,137.83

“Full benefits” is defined as IMRF, health, life, dental & vision insurance.

All salaries will increase 3.5% per year.

Algonquin Township is now about the same size as McHenry County was when I ran in the Republican Party primary for county treasurer in 1966—just under 100,000, as of 2005.

I was 23 when I passed my petitions; turned 24 two days before the primary date.

So, with the five largest townships—Algonquin, McHenry, Grafton, Nunda and Dorr Townships—having decided to hold primary elections, will any youngish Republicans decide to run for township office?

I wasn’t thinking about the really well paying full-time township jobs, although I certainly was after a full-time job in 1966. It paid more than my United States Bureau of the Budget entry level job that I left did. I was earning $7,500. County treasurer paid $10,000 a year, but it didn’t increase over the four-year term.

People would have a hard time arguing that a college graduate wouldn’t be qualified to be a township trustee.

With so many young people not being able to find jobs commensurate with their education, maybe some will think the upwards of $2,000 a year jobs worth the time to put together a campaign.

It could be the start of something big.

And, a word to the wise.

A lot of senior Republicans will tell you to wait.

I got that a lot as I visited GOP precinct committeemen in the spring of 1966.

Nunda Township Supervisor Howard Freese said while I was qualified for the job I should wait a while.

Wait my turn, so to speak.

Right.

I’ve heard one of my contemporaries heard that line until he was in their 50’s.

Another committeeman said I would be “eaten alive” at the courthouse. I think he used a tiger analogy and I wasn’t the predator.

I won the three-way primary race by 72 votes–33%-, 33%, 33%+.

Township GOP petition filing time is Monday, December 8th, through Monday December 15th.

Think any of the young people who worked in the John McCain-Sarah Palin campaign will run for township trustee?

More about the lure of township officer here.