FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 26, 2010

MAHON ENDORSES SALARY FREEZE IF ELECTED
URGES INCUMBENT NYGREN TO DO LIKEWISE

Sheriff's Candidate Mike Mahon Wednesday vowed to accept the current Sheriff's salary for two fiscal years if he is elected and encouraged incumbent Keith Nygren to voluntarily accept a one-year freeze irrespective of what the McHenry County Board ultimately decides.

The McHenry County Board is currently considering freezing the salaries of various officials. Nygren has been passive at best, and has been quoted in the press as saying: "they're going to do what they're going to do."

"Whether the Board or its committees ultimately impose salary freezes on various elected officials, Mr. Nygren should be proactive and voluntarily accept a freeze, considering the difficult economic conditions currently plaguing McHenry County and the nation at large," Mahon said. "It's a leadership issue."

Given the fact that Mr. Nygren has collected more than $600,000 from his Crystal Lake police pension since 1997, and combined with his Sheriff's salary has amassed just short of $2 million in public funds since the same year, it would seem that he has been adequately compensated, Mahon noted.

"Right now many of our citizens are hurting, and there is a sense that public employees of all types are immune from the downturn," Mahon said. "The least that elected officials can do is lead by example and freeze their current salaries in solidarity with those who do not enjoy similar benefits and security."

"If elected, I shall insist that my salary be frozen in step with other McHenry County officials, and I'll add an extra year for good measure," Mahon said. "I don't understand how a responsible public officer could act otherwise in the face of the most chilling economic downturn since the Great Depression."

For more information contact the Mike Mahon for Sheriff Campaign at 847.515.4772.