Joliet city manager collects nearly $100K in severance pay after less than a year on the job

By Vincent Caruso

10/22/2018

Joliet City Council members awarded their outgoing city manager a generous severance package after less than a year on the job. The ex-official will also be allowed to seek unemployment, even though some council members said he wanted to leave.

TAGS: city manager, golden parachute, Joliet

Taxpayer victory: Rauner signs bill axing ‘golden parachute’ payouts for public officials

By Vincent Caruso

08/16/2018

The Government Severance Pay Act places a cap on – and attaches strings to – golden parachute severance payouts for outgoing government employees.

TAGS: Bill Cunningham, Bruce Rauner, golden parachute, Tom Cullerton

Chicago-area water district official resigns without explanation, collects $95K severance package

By Eddie Damstra

07/26/2018

David St. Pierre is the latest Illinois government employee to receive a generous severance package, despite leaving under questionable circumstances.

TAGS: David St. Pierre, golden parachute, MWRD: Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, salaries

Outgoing SIU president to receive $215K severance, new $100K job

07/24/2018

Southern Illinois University President Randy Dunn will receive a $215,000 severance package before taking a lucrative job at the university’s Edwardsville campus.

TAGS: Carbondale, golden parachute, Southern Illinois, Southern Illinois University

Highland Park school board awards $300,000 severance to departing superintendent

By Vincent Caruso

05/25/2018

The excessive severance package comes as a bill curbing golden parachutes sits in the Illinois House of Representatives.

TAGS: golden parachute, municipal pensions, pensions, salaries

Senate passes bill restricting ‘golden parachutes’ for government officials

By Vincent Caruso

05/03/2018

The Government Severance Pay Act would spare taxpayers the burden of providing excessive severance payouts to outgoing public officials.

TAGS: College of DuPage, golden parachute, NIU: Northern Illinois University, salaries, Tom Cullerton

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

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Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

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Allan Luzbetak

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students