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Chicago Police Department, Illinois, 2008-2011
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Chicago Police Department salaries are a matter of public record under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.
Salaries
Sunshine Review filed a public records request for salary information from the Chicago Police Department for the years 2008-2011. Sunshine Review was seeking information on the salaries earned by the highest ranking officers and staff, particularly those earning more than $150,000 annually. The department supplied salary information for sworn personnel based on rank.[1] The information did not include names of the employees in those positions.
2011 salaries
- Superintendent of Police earned $310,000
- Assistant Superintendent earned $188,316
- Deputy Superintendent earned $178,740
- Police Chief earned $176,532
- Assistant Deputy Superintendent earned $162,012
- Deputy Chief earned $162,012
- Commander earned $154,932
2010 salaries
- Superintendent of Police earned $310,000
- Assistant Superintendent earned $176,772
- Deputy Superintendent earned $163,680
- Police Chief earned $161,664
- Assistant Deputy Superintendent earned $148,356
- Deputy Chief earned $148,356
- Commander earned $141,888
2009 salaries
- Superintendent of Police earned $310,000
- Assistant Superintendent earned $176,772
- Deputy Superintendent earned $163,680
- Police Chief earned $161,664
- Assistant Deputy Superintendent earned $148,356
- Deputy Chief earned $148,356
- Commander earned $141,888
2008 salaries
- Superintendent of Police earned $310,000
- First Deputy Superintendent earned $172,452
- Deputy Superintendent earned $163,680
- Police Chief earned $161,664
- Assistant Deputy Superintendent earned $148,356
- Deputy Chief earned $148,356
- District Commander earned $141,888
Benefits
Sunshine Review filed a public records request for benefits information from the Chicago Police Department for the years 2008-2011. Chicago police officials informed Sunshine Review that benefits for Chicago Police Department employees are managed by the City of Chicago's Benefits Management System. Employees and dependents are eligible for medical, dental and vision insurance.[2]
Phone use
According to the Chicago Police Department's response to Sunshine Review's public records request for information regarding department issued Blackberry or other mobile devices, there is no existing department document.[3]
Car use
According to the Chicago Police Department's response to Sunshine Review's public records request for information regarding personal use of police vehicles, there is no existing department document. However, under certain criteria, a department official said vehicles may be requested for extended-hours use on a regular or temporary basis.[4]
Salary records project
In 2011, Sunshine Review chose 152 local governments as the focus of research on public employee salaries. The editors of Sunshine Review selected eight states with relevant political contexts (listed alphabetically):
1. California
2. Florida
3. Illinois
4. Michigan
5. New Jersey
6. Pennsylvania
7. Texas
8. Wisconsin
Within these states, the editors of Sunshine Review focused on the most populous cities, counties and school districts, as well as the emergency services entities within these governments. The purpose of this selection method was to develop articles on governments affecting the most citizens.
The salary information garnered from these states were a combination of existing online resources and state Freedom of Information Act requests sent out to the governments.
A study published by the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia said the city of Philadelphia faced challenges owing to the cost of public employee pensions.[5] The report claimed the amount that Philadelphia paid to pension recipients limited the city’s ability to use its budget effectively.
The report said there were more individuals receiving pension benefits—33,907 claimants in 2006—than workers in the city—28,701.[5] The authors recommended three steps towards addressing the problem of high costs in pensions: improved data collection, expanded transparency initiatives, and reductions to the city's overall budget.[5]
Salary schedules can be published as ranges, not as specific compensation figures, and may leave out compensation received through health and retirement benefits, as well as benefits such as commuter allowances and cell phone reimbursements. This project aimed to close the gap and provide a more accurate picture of public employee salaries for the sake of public education and transparency.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Sunshine Review, Chicago Police Department Salary and Benefit Information
- ↑ City of Chicago, Benefits Management System
- ↑ Sunshine Review, Chicago Police Department Salary and Benefit Information
- ↑ Sunshine Review, Chicago Police Department Salary and Benefit Information
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 '’Philadelphia’s Quiet Crisis: The Rising Cost of Employee Benefits, Pew Charitable Trusts and the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, January 23, 2008
