The following is a press release I received from Mr. Wait’s campaign. I am a bit confused by the amount of pension and other benefits which Mr. Wait is volunteering to forfeit but perhaps you can understand it.
Belvidere , IL - With the February 2nd Primary election two weeks away, Ron Wait (R-Belvidere), candidate for Boone County Resident Circuit Judge, is proving to voters why he is the best candidate for the judgeship by forfeiting a 50 percent pay increase and his tax-payer funded pension he is set to receive upon retirement from the General Assembly. Ron believes that positions in government including the judiciary are positions of public service. That is why he has never accepted a paycheck from multiple government sources. In these economic times, this policy of Ron’s rings even more true. That’s why Ron is now re-affirming this pledge as your candidate for judge.
After representing Boone County as your state representative for nearly 30 years, Wait would qualify for a pay increase due to his length of service; however, citing his personal policy of being a public servant, Wait pledges to surrender his entire pension and return the increase to the taxpayers while serving as judge.
“We are faced with one of the worst economic crises in recent history, and Boone County is burdened with the worst of it,” said Wait. “It is unfair and wrong for any elected official to accept multiple taxpayer-funded pensions, whether we are facing tough times or not. Once I am elected Boone County Judge, I will return my pension to the hard-working taxpayers.”
The Boone County Resident Circuit Judge position is newly-created, it is uncertain as to whether or not the state will be able to provide for the salary as a result of the budget crisis. Citing the ever growing judicial case load in Boone County , Ron will serve regardless of pay to help relax the load. Ron is not new to volunteering, he has accepted many positions without compensation with the goal of helping people and bring common sense to the community.
“I am running to serve the people, not to draw a paycheck,” said Wait. “If that means I have to work for free to serve as Boone County Judge in order to move the county’s increasing case load, then so be it. If the state can’t find the funds, I will still serve with the same dedication I have always had for Boone County . I have volunteered for many different Boone County organizations over the years and have never received compensation for all of that rewarding work. No one else in this race has more loyalty or more devotion for this county than I do as I am the only one who has made this pledge.”
Ron Wait has represented Boone County for nearly 30 years as a legislator in the Illinois General Assembly, serving on the Criminal, Civil, and Family Law Committees. After 30 years of lawmaking, Wait is ready to start his career interpreting these same laws whether the position is funded or not.
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