Dan Carden

CROWN POINT — Lake County government employees not already contracted or legally obligated to receive a pay raise next year won't be getting one.

The Lake County Council voted 3-2 Tuesday to defeat a proposal to add a 2% pay raise for non-represented employees to the 2026 county spending plan.

Council President Christine Cid, D-East Chicago, joined Councilman Pete Lindemulder, R-Schererville, and Councilman Randy Niemeyer, R-Cedar Lake, in opposing the pay raises because she said the county lacks sufficient operating cash to cover the estimated $2 million additional expense.

The raises were supported by Councilman David Hamm, D-Hammond, and Councilman Ted Bilski, D-Hobart, who proposed dipping into the county's reserve accounts to pay for them. Councilmen Charlie Brown and R

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