Over Two Million Dollars to Operate Free Ferries
Illinois Department of Transportation paid employees over $2 million in wages to work a free ferry service in 2008.
by Mark Cavers
In 2008, the State of Illinois paid 16 ferry operators $1,254,700 in combined total wages. The highest paid ferry operator made $87,141.94, and the average for all operators was $78,000. Ferry Operators are responsible for maintaining and operating power ferry boats and the position requires eight years of elementary education. This one million in wages is in addition to the$900,000 the state paid to “deck hands” working on the ferries.
The Illinois Department of Transportation operates two free ferries across the Illinois State River. These ferries operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week running separately from Grafton and Kampsville, Illinois across the river.
You can find this information by going to IllinoisOpenGov.org, clicking on “Payroll” and searching for “Ferry Operators” in the “Position” section.