WATSEKA – The two men running for Iroquois County sheriff in next Tuesday's Republican primary election have differing views about the need to retain a second administrator in the Iroquois County Sheriff's Office and the need to pass a sales tax proposal to support the office's operation.

Cissna Park resident Dan Sukel, a former deputy for the Cook County Sheriff's Department, has pledged to eliminate the position of chief deputy sheriff – a job currently held by his opponent, Derek Hagen of Watseka.

Hagen, however, said having a chief deputy – who is trained in all aspects of the operation of the sheriff's office – is "very important to the functionality of the sheriff's office," and that he would retain the position if elected. Incumbent Sheriff Eldon Sprau is not running for re-election.

Sukel wants to cut the chief deputy's job because Iroquois County's population of around 25,000 to 30,000 "just doesn't seem to warrant that position." He called it a "waste of taxpayers' money to have two administrators with this size of population."

"This money (instead) could be used to put on two certified patrol deputies or four already fully trained part-time officers," Sukel said.

Meanwhile, Hagen asserted that the chief deputy plays a valuable role, noting that "if the sheriff is away from the county for any amount of time or reasons, the chief deputy takes charge and responsibility for the office."

Hagen added that the chief deputy is a salaried position and not covered by any union agreement and therefore does not receive any overtime but is on call around the clock. Lieutenants and sergeants are both paid more than the chief deputy, and are also eligible for overtime, he added.

The two candidates also disagree with the need to pass a sales tax proposal next Tuesday that would provide more than $1 million each year to help the sheriff's department retain several deputies who would otherwise be laid off.

Hagen said the half-cent tax rate increase would "ensure that public safety is a priority."

Hagen said alternative revenue sources are not available. He said the sheriff's office has already raised its fees for the civil process and "bond-out" to the maximum allowed.

Sukel disagrees with the tax hike. He said it would "only put more of a burden on the senior citizens, who are on a fixed income, as well as the rest of us. Grain elevators in the county will be paying $4,000 more a year for heating and drying grain (if the tax passes)."

With the county struggling financially, Sukel said he would volunteer to take a pay cut from the sheriff's current salary of $62,000 if elected. Sukel said he would also accept no pay increase during his first four-year term. Hagen stopped short of making such statements, saying that "the county board will set the salary for the next term in May" and that "the county board has the ball in their court as far as setting of salary."