$95 Million in Wages at the Department of Natural Resources
During a time of fiscal crisis the DNR was handing out over $95 million in yearly wages.
by Mark Cavers
In 2008, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) paid $95,647,702.56 in wage compensation to its 2,426 employees. The Department of Natural Resources had the 14th highest wage total out of all the departments in Illinois, putting it ahead of the Department Of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Public Health, and the Department Of Veterans Affairs, to name a few. The mission of the DNR is to “manage, protect and sustain Illinois’ natural and cultural resources; provide resource-compatible recreational opportunities; and promote natural resource-related public safety, education, and science.”
The DNR paid 27 employees over $100,000 in 2008 and 190 employees received over $80,000. These individuals included conservation police officers, public service administrators, and natural resource planners. The highest paid employee was the Director of the Illinois State Museum, Bonnie W. Styleswho was given $145,011 in wage compensation in 2008.
These numbers do not take into account the lavish retirement and health insurance benefits that government employees receive on top of their salaries.
You can find this information for yourself by going to IllinoisOpenGov.org, clicking on “Payroll” and searching for “Department of Natural Resources” under the “Department” heading.