Forbes: The 'Big Dogs' of Illinois Municipal Government 10_IL_municpal_gvt

October 26, 2015 05:33 AM

OTB_Logo_Transparent-01

At OpenTheBooks.com, we have completed our annual 
"Big Dogs" salary report of IL municipal government. 
The results are the most stunning ever...

 

10_IL_municpal_gvt


2015-10-01_13-38-47
 
"BIG DOGS" IN IL MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

By Adam Andrzejewski | January 27, 2015

 

52 city and village managers out-earn every governor of the 50 states. School district treasurers are hauling in up to $485,000. Rank-and-file county employees are racking up $260,000 with massive lifetime pension spikes. But, incredibly, the top three "municipal" employees-- with salaries over $300,000 plus-- don't even work for government...


1. 52 Village and City Managers Out-earn Every Governor of the 50 States.  Here's the Top Five:

  • Lawrence Hillman ($292,124)- City of Glenview (pop 45,417)

  • Michael Ellis ($258,381)- Village of Grayslake (pop 21,101)

  • Richard Nahrstadt ($251,918)- Village of Northbrook (pop 33,170)

  • Michael Janonis ($241,852)- Village of Mt. Prospect (pop. 54,505)

  • Christopher Stephens ($240,000)- Village of  Rosemont (pop 4,202)

Read more at Forbes- see the Top Ten City & Village Managers Out-Earning All Governors

 

2. "Legal Corruption"-- Top Three Illinois "Municipal" Employees Don't Even Work for Government. Probably the most egregious example of - "insiders gaming the system for personal gain"- are the top three "municipal" salaries of 2014:

  • Illinois Municipal League Larry Frang ($392,423)

  • Illinois Association of Park Districts Peter Murphy ($360,553)

  • Park District Risk Management Association Brett Davis ($305,278)

Employed in the private sector, these chiefs don't even work for government, but special legislation "muscled" them into the government pension systems. 


Please click here to read more at Forbes today


3.  Nerds that Glitter-- School District Treasurers. The bean counters really have a sweet deal. 

  • Thornton Township's Eugene Varnado pulled in $239,688 while running his CPA  firm

  • Bloom Township's Robert Grossi hauled in $230,318

  • North Shore SD 112's Mohsin Dada double dipped the Teacher's Retirement System and the Illinois Municipal pensions for a combined 2014 income of over $485,000!  Mohsin's pension from the Teacher's Retirement System is over $240,000 and his new income from North Shore School District 112 is $245,880-- up from $202,903 just two years ago in 2012.

Read more at Forbes - it's local treasurers, human resource managers, attorneys and more gaming the Illinois pay and pension systems.


4. Rank-and-file DuPage County employees racking up millions in pay and pensions. DuPage County has a history of living large.

  • In 2002, county administrator Donald Zeilenga pulled in $383,156.

  • In 2009, state's attorney bureau chief Michael Wolfe hauled in $340,630.

  • In 2011, county engineer Charles Tokarski made $340,147.

  • In 2014, first assistant state's attorney Nancy Wolfe spiked to $248,083.

  • In fact, in 2014, DuPage County had ten employees collectively earn more than $2.021 million! Now, is that "Moving DuPage Forward"?

Read more at Forbes regarding "The 'Big Dogs" of Illinois Municipal Government'

Read_at_Wayback_Machine7

 

5. The managers of the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund are racking up terrific pay hikes: Over the last two years, Chief Investment Officer Shah Dhvani's pensionable salary increased from $208,003 to $286,826. Executive Director Louis Kosiba's salary has increased from $126,703 in 2001 to $242,518 in 2014- the- same job title and duties and an $116,000 pay hike. 

Read my Forbes column today 

 

At OpenTheBooks.com, look up your hometown with our Snapshot Transparency reports. Look up your hometown here.  Hold them accountable for pay and pension decisions.

 

Join the Transparency Revolution!  Click here to stay updated in "real time" with every dime we post online.
 

 

ADAM ANDRZEJEWSKI 

Founder, OpenTheBooks.com     
American Transparency | Chairman

Matthew Tyrmand

Deputy Director 

 

P.S. Your help is needed today. We appreciate your help to post online "every dime" taxed and spent at every unit of government across America. 

Back to news
Donate_Button_Red
Sign the Petition