Will Co. Increases Pay For Nov. 3 Election Judges Amid Pandemic

WILL COUNTY, IL — The Will County Clerk's Office announced that it will increase the pay for election judges who work at polling places for the Nov. 3 general election. The judges will now be paid $250, a $100 increase, according to a news release.

This is a one-time increase for the 2020 election and is covered through federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.

"The pay increases show our deep appreciation for the valuable service our Election Judges and Early Voting workers provide to voters during what is certain to be an unprecedented Presidential Election," Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry said in the release. "We understand that assisting the public during a pandemic creates significant health safety concerns. In addition to providing extra compensation, we want them to know we’re doing everything we can to keep them safe when they are assisting voters."

The office has drafted detailed health safety protocols for Election Day to minimize exposure to COVID-19. The office is providing health safety supplies for judges and election workers that include protective masks, face shields, gloves, disinfectant wipes, individual hand sanitizers, and a large hand sanitizing station for each polling place and early voting location.

Staley Ferry said the additional pay also acknowledges the additional work election judges will have to perform including the wiping down of pens, voting booths and other commonly used surfaces with disinfectant cloths throughout the day. Judges will also be asked to encourage voters to wear face coverings and maintain proper social distancing.

"We all have had extensive personal experience protecting ourselves in public places during the pandemic," she said. "We go into this election with a better understanding of how to keep ourselves safe and with all the supplies and equipment needed to minimize risk."