Local business owner advocates for competitive pay at county board meeting

Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office has a starting salary of $56,000 a year, compared to the Springfield Police Department, which around $80,000.

The topic of pay came up at Tuesday’s county board meeting.

Sangamon County Chairman Andy Van Meter told me their deputies pay is comparable with other county sheriff agencies of the same size.

Both Macon and Peoria County have starting salary of $58,000.

But business owner and volunteer sheriff’s deputy Mylas Copeland says to recruit top notch candidates, you need to pay them more money.

“We are no longer competitive. And when you pay minimums, you will get minimum standards,” he said at the County Board meeting on Tuesday. “If you do not give whoever is in that seat, the ability to get competitive with other agencies. You will find yourself here again.”

Sangamon County told me some benefits may offset the salary difference such as deputies being able to collect social security on top of their police pension.

Sangamon County officials declined to interview but we’re expecting a statement tonight.

The Illinois State Police paying new hires over $90,000.