Elmhurst Debates Pay Raises Amid Budget Troubles

Aldermen differed over how much to increase workers' pay to stay competitive.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:11pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of a city hall building or municipal office, with warm sunlight casting deep shadows across the facade, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation around the city's budgetary decisions.Elmhurst's municipal offices stand as a symbol of the city's efforts to balance employee pay and budget constraints.Elmhurst Today

The City Council in Elmhurst, Illinois debated how much to increase city employee pay amid the city's budget challenges. A consultant found Elmhurst's pay was 12% below market rate, and aldermen discussed raising wages to be at least 75% of the market rate. Some aldermen argued for a lower 65% target to save money, but the council ultimately voted 9-4 to approve the higher 75% target, with the raises retroactive to January 1.

Why it matters

Elmhurst has faced rising costs and budget pressures in recent years, including a $1 million property tax hike and 30% water rate increase. The pay raise debate reflects the city's efforts to balance staying competitive in hiring while also controlling costs for taxpayers.

The details

Late last year, Elmhurst increased its property tax levy by $1 million and cut spending by $3.6 million. In 2024, the city also hiked water rates by nearly 30 percent. This year, a consultant studied dozens of city positions and found Elmhurst's pay was 12% below market rate. Aldermen debated a committee's recommendation to ensure employee wages were at least 75% of the market rate, with one alderman proposing a lower 65% target to save $35,000 over three years. Ultimately, the council voted 9-4 to approve the higher 75% target, with the raises retroactive to January 1.

  • Late last year, the City Council increased its property tax levy by $1 million and cut spending by $3.6 million.
  • In 2024, the City Council hiked water rates by nearly 30 percent.
  • This year, a consultant studied the pay for dozens of city positions.
  • The pay raises approved by the council are retroactive to January 1, 2026.

The players

Dan Virgil

An alderman who recommended a 65% market rate target to save $35,000 over three years, citing residents' concerns about Elmhurst's rising cost of living.

Noel Talluto

An alderman who heads the committee and disagreed with Virgil, saying the city has long followed the 75% policy and reducing the percentage would send the wrong message to employees.

Mike Brennan

An alderman who entirely backed Talluto's position, saying reducing the percentage would be a "demotivator" for employees.

Michael Bram

An alderman who countered that if the difference was small, it's hard to believe it would have a substantial effect on turnover, and said the message was not only to employees but also to residents who have seen rising taxes and bills.

Scott Levin

The mayor of Elmhurst who said he was strongly in favor of the majority's position to approve the higher 75% target.

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What they’re saying

“There is no way to smooth that out. I do not want to be part of something with such small payback to disrupt the motivation here at City Hall.”

— Mike Brennan, Alderman

“In regard to employee morale, it's more than just dollars and cents. It's the environment that you come to work every day. It's the people that you're with. It's the job that you're in. There are so many components regarding employee morale.”

— Michael Bram, Alderman

The takeaway

The Elmhurst City Council's decision to approve pay raises to keep city employee wages competitive, despite the city's budget challenges, highlights the complex balance municipalities must strike between retaining talent, controlling costs, and maintaining employee morale.