North Cook News

To the Editor:

It is less than a month until Election Day – April 6 in Burr Ridge. On the ballot is an important referendum for Burr Ridge residents to consider: whether or not to grant Mayor Gary Grasso a 100% raise in salary, from $6,000/year currently to $12,000/year. How many among us have ever received a 100% raise in pay? 

The Village Board was presented with data indicating the mayors/village presidents of 14 towns surrounding Burr Ridge are compensated far less than Mayor Grasso’s ask; in fact, the executives of five neighboring towns (including Hinsdale and Clarendon Hills) receive no compensation at all. If the April 6 referendum passes, Mayor Grasso will become the second-highest-paid executive in our area.

Does the mayor deserve a raise? Mr. Grasso’s full-time job is attorney with his own law practice. He recently relinquished his duties as Burr Ridge Liquor Commissioner. He has not kept residents informed as he did all last year about COVID-19 case counts in our Village (which are rising). Sales tax revenue from Burr Ridge restaurants and retail sales dropped over 42% from 2019 to 2020 despite the Mayor’s attempts to keep businesses afloat during the pandemic. Mayor Grasso is doing less, but asking for more. 

Mr. Grasso recently stated on Facebook, “Whether the residents approve the salary referendum will not effect [sic] at all my respect and long time service to Burr Ridge. I’ll do the job. I did not grow up in such a special place. $6,000 or $12,000 annually is not why I’ve been mayor from 2015 to 2012 and again since 2019. It’s a pure privilege.”

If “it’s a pure privilege” to serve our Village, why is the mayor asking for raise at all? The mayor and the Village of Burr Ridge must show the same fiscal restraint we have all endured during these tough times. To my Burr Ridge neighbors, I humbly ask you to vote “NO” on the April 6 public referendum.

Sincerely,

Patricia A. Davis

Burr Ridge