Illinois State Police, Illinois, 2009
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Illinois State Police salaries are public records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.
Salaries
Sunshine Review filed a Illinois Freedom of Information Act to request salary information from the Illinois State Police for the years 2008 to 2011. Sunshine Review was seeking information on the salaries earned by the highest ranking officers and staff members, particularly those earning more than $150,000 annually. The Illinois State Police did not comply with Sunshine Review's request for salary information.
2009 salaries
According to a Taxpayers United of America chart, there were 20 employees of the Illinois State Police earning more than $150,000 annually and more than 100 employees earning over $100,000 in 2009.[1] The top 100 paid troopers had an average salary of $142,636.[2]
- Lt. Carl Anderson earned $189,015
- Master Sergeant Emanuel LeBron earned $184,863
- Sgt. Walter Valentine earned $175,452
- Deputy Director Harold Nelson earned $175,309
- Sgt. Robert Deel earned $168,556
- Master Sergeant Carl Gutierrez earned $167,792
- Capt. Mark Bramlett earned $167,689
- Capt. Ranodore Foggs earned $167,667
- Sgt. Pete Garcia earned $165,970
- Capt. Richard Woods earned $165,889
- Capt. Kenneth Kaupas $165,783
- Sgt. Jeffrey Escamillo earned $163,751
- Capt. Gerald Jenkins earned $161,829
- Lt. Joesph Payette earned $158,342
- Sr. Master Trooper Lester Robert earned $158,005
- Sgt. Michael Oyer earned $157,429
- Sgt. Robert Love earned $156,858
- Capt. Renee Cibich earned $153,383
- Sr. Inspector Kenneth Gibson earned $152,882
- Master Sgt. James Turner earned $152,076
Benefits
Sunshine Review filed a public records request for the cost of employee benefits from the Illinois State Police for the years 2008 to 2011; howeverm the state police did not comply with the request.
According to the Illinois State Police website, cadets and troopers are provided health, dental, life and vision insurance. The website does not provide information on the cost of the benefits.[3]
Phone use
Sunshine Review filed a public records request for information on cellular and mobile devices issued by the department, including the number of devices and the amount budgeted for the mobile plans. The state police responded by sending the department directive on the use of said equipment, but no budget information.[4]
Car use
Sunshine Review filed a public records request seeking information on vehicles issued by the department, including the number of vehicles, the amount budgeted for maintenance and whether those vehicles are allowed for personal use. The state police responded by sending the department directive on the use of said equipment, but no budget information.[5]
According to the Illinois State Police website, each officer is assigned a fully equipped squad car, with department-paid fuel and service. The vehicle is restricted to business use only.[6]
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.[7] 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.[7] 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.[7]
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
- ↑ Taxpayers United of America, Top 100 Trooper Salaries for 2009
- ↑ Taxpayers United of America, Top 100 Trooper Salaries for 2009
- ↑ Illinois State Police, Benefits Information
- ↑ Illinois State Police, Wireless Voice/ Data Communications Equipment (dead link)
- ↑ Illinois State Police, Department Vehicle and Assignment Maintenance (dead link)
- ↑ Illinois State Police
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 '’Philadelphia’s Quiet Crisis: The Rising Cost of Employee Benefits, Pew Charitable Trusts and the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, January 23, 2008
