Taxpayer victory: General Assembly passes bill restricting golden parachutes for government officials

By Vincent Caruso, Chris Lentino

05/29/2018

Senate Bill 3604 would limit government workers’ ability to collect extravagant severance packages, also known as “golden parachutes,” on their way out of office.

TAGS: Alex Clifford, College of DuPage, Doug Baker, Metra, NIU: Northern Illinois University, pensions, Robert Breuder, salaries, Tom Cullerton

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

Senate bill aims to deflate ‘golden parachute’ payouts for public officials

By Vincent Caruso

04/14/2018

The Government Severance Pay Act would restrict outgoing officials from exiting office with excessive severance pay.

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

NIU Board of Trustees unanimously approves $600,000 severance for former president

12/07/2017

The Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees approved an expensive severance package for former university President Doug Baker, despite the scandal ending his tenure.

TAGS: NIU: Northern Illinois University

NIU board to vote on $600,000 severance package for former president

12/06/2017

The Board of Trustees at Northern Illinois University granted a $600,000 severance package to outgoing university President Doug Baker, who resigned following a state investigation into his management of the university. But after a court struck down that agreement, the board is set to vote again.

TAGS: higher education, NIU: Northern Illinois University

Northern Illinois University president to receive $600K severance package amid patronage scandal

By Austin Berg

06/16/2017

Administrative costs at Illinois universities have spun out of control. The latest example comes as the Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees voted to approve a $600,000 golden parachute for President Doug Baker.

TAGS: corruption, Doug Baker, higher education, NIU: Northern Illinois University

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