Such election commissioners and the executive director of the Board of Election Commissioners shall be paid by the county. In counties having a population of 500,000 or more, the city first adopting the provisions of this Act shall pay the salary of the assistant executive director. In all other counties such salary shall be paid by the county. In cities, villages and incorporated towns having a population less than 25,000 as determined by the last federal census, the election commissioners shall receive a salary of not less than $1,800 per annum. If the population is 25,000 or more but less than 40,000 the election commissioners shall receive a salary of not less than $2,400 per annum, to be determined by the county board. If the population is 40,000 or more but less than 70,000 the election commissioners shall receive a salary of not less than $2,100 per annum, to be determined by the county board. If the population is 70,000 or more but less than 100,000 the election commissioners shall receive a salary of not less than $2,700 per annum, to be determined by the county board. If the population is 100,000 or more but less than 2,000,000 the election commissioners shall receive a salary of not less than $3,200 per annum, to be determined by the county board. The chair of a board of election commissioners, in counties with a population of less than 2,000,000, shall be paid by the county an additional amount equal to 10% of his salary as an election commissioner. If the population is less than 25,000 the executive director shall receive a salary of not less than $4,500 per annum. If the population is 25,000 or more but less than 40,000 the executive director shall receive a salary of not less than $8,000 per annum, and in such cities, villages and incorporated towns there may be employed one assistant executive director who shall receive a salary of not less than $6,000 per annum. If the population is 40,000 or more but less than 70,000 the executive director shall receive a salary of not less than $9,500 per annum, and in such cities, villages and incorporated towns there may be employed one assistant executive director who shall receive a salary of not less than $7,500 per annum. If the population is 70,000 or more but less than 100,000 the executive director shall receive a salary of not less than $11,000 per annum, and in such cities, villages and incorporated towns there may be employed one assistant executive director who shall receive a salary of not less than $8,000 per annum. If the population is 100,000 or more but less than 2,000,000 the executive director shall receive a salary of not less than $12,000 per annum, and in such cities, villages and incorporated towns there may be employed one assistant executive director who shall receive a salary of not less than $8,000 per annum. It shall be the duty of the Board of Election Commissioners in such cities, villages and incorporated towns to fix the salary of the executive director and assistant executive director at the time of appointment of the clerk. In cities, villages and incorporated towns with a population greater than 2,000,000 the election commissioners shall receive a salary of not less than $21,000, provided, however, that the chair of the Board of Election Commissioners shall receive a salary, as set by and from time to time changed by the Board of County Commissioners, of not less than $35,000 per annum and shall hold no other office. In cities, villages and incorporated towns with a population greater than 2,000,000, such other election commissioners shall hold no other office. In cities, villages and incorporated towns with a population greater than 2,000,000 the executive director and employees of the Board of Election Commissioners shall serve on a full-time basis and shall hold no other office. In cities, villages and incorporated towns with a population of greater than 2,000,000, no election commissioner, executive director nor employee shall participate in any manner, in any activity or interests of any political party or of any candidate for public office or for nomination thereof, nor participate in any political campaign for the nomination or election of candidates for public office. Violation of any provision hereof shall be cause for removal from office or dismissal, as the case may be; provided, that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to interfere with the right of any person to vote for any candidate or upon any issue as his reason and conscience may dictate nor interfere with the duties of his office. All expenses incurred by such Board of Election Commissioners shall be paid by such city.
     The salaries and expenditures are to be audited by the chief circuit judge, who may designate an independent external auditor to perform the task, and the salaries and expenditures shall be paid by the county or city treasurer, as the case may be, upon the warrant of the chief circuit judge of any money in the county or city treasury, as the case may be, not otherwise appropriated. It shall also be the duty of the governing authority of those counties and cities, respectively, to make provisions for the prompt payment of the salaries and expenditures.