Joliet Spent $2M For Retiree Payouts In 2020: Patch Analysis

Joliet IL

13 January, 2021

11:00 PM

Description

JOLIET, IL — At a time when 80 percent of the city of Joliet's operating budget now goes toward employee pay and fringe benefits, Joliet's taxpayers shelled out more than $2 million to 38 employees who retired in 2020, a Joliet Patch analysis found. The payouts went to retiring Joliet employees cashing out their unused vacation, sick leave banks and, in the cases of members of the Joliet Police Department, sizeable comp time accruals. At least 22 of Joliet's 38 retirees last year received a retirement payout of at least $50,000. The smallest payout was $845, to a retiring city janitor who made an annual salary of $69,153, according to data Joliet Patch obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. Nine Joliet retirees from 2020 received payouts between $70,000 and $129,100. Of the nine, eight worked at the Joliet Police Department where the average retirement payout was about $64,459 last year, Joliet Patch determined. All of these city of Joliet retirement payouts are in addition to the lifetime pensions they're collecting. The retirement payouts for unused sick, vacation and comp time nest eggs for Joliet employees come at a time when a larger percentage of the city's operating budget is going for employee salaries and fringe benefits. Nowadays, less revenue is available for neighborhoods, new roads, sidewalks, sewers, and other major public infrastructure improvements or community betterment projects. About 25 years ago, one city official told Patch, about 65 percent of Joliet's operating budget went for salaries and fringe benefits, unlike now, when that percentage has climbed to 80 percent. Here's a summary of Joliet employees who received a retirement payout exceeding $50,000 in 2020: Laroy AldridgeBattalion chief at Joliet Fire DepartmentFinal salary was $145,651Retirement severance payout was $53,486 Jeff Allbert Joliet police captainFinal salary was $152,046Retirement severance payout was $89,443 Robert "Bert" BadertscherJoliet police K-9 handler Final salary was $106,770Retirement severance payout was $53,521 Rich DemickJoliet police captainFinal salary was $152,046Retirement severance payout was $129,100 Mike EulitzPublic assets supervisor, public works divisionFinal salary was $138,720Retirement severance payout was $65,072 Jeffrey FornoffJoliet police evidence technicianFinal salary was $106,770Retirement severance payout was $102,742 Robert HallJoliet police sergeantFinal salary was $126,306Retirement severance payout was $61,927 Lindsey Heavener Joliet police sergeantFinal salary was $126,306Retirement severance payout was $60,221 Michael HiblerJoliet firefighter/paramedicFinal salary was $108,623Retirement severance payout was $50,601 Kendall JacksonDirector of community developmentFinal salary was $145,656Retirement severance payout was $70,590 Gregory JordanJoliet police lieutenantFinal salary was $138,563Retirement severance payout was $68,121 Kevin LaBolleJoliet police lieutenantFinal salary was $138,563Retirement severance payout was $78,814 Bruce LarsonJoliet police captainFinal salary was $152,046Retirement severance payout was $68,015 Rodney LeggeroJoliet fire captainFinal salary was $129,498 Retirement severance payout was $60,776 Phil MartinJoliet police officerFinal salary was $106,770Retirement severance payout was $86,813 Ken MihelichCity finance departmentFinal salary was $151,304Retirement severance payout was $67,357 Scott NicodemusJoliet police sergeantFinal salary was $126,306Retirement severance payout was $72,653 Leslie O'ConnorJoliet police captainFinal salary was $152,046Retirement severance payout was $93,551 Scott ShearJoliet firefighter/paramedic Final salary was $108,623 Retirement severance payout was $58,112 Jeff SterrCity neighborhood services directorFinal salary was $121,502Retirement severance payout was $52,769 Phil SticeJoliet police sergeantFinal salary was $126,306Retirement severance payout was $80,114 Bob Wohlrab Joliet fire captainFinal salary was $129,498Retirement severance payout was $59,162 At Joliet's Police Department, the average retirement payout was about $64,459 last year. Image via John Ferak/Patch