The Problem Historically, public employees have faced a trade-off: lower wages than the private sector in exchange for job security and generous benefits. That trade-off, however, has been disappearing over the years as government employees enjoy steady increases in wages, even during economic downturns. Meanwhile, businesses in the private sector must cut back or at...

Architects on the state payroll receive average annual wages of $84,335 in 2008.

In 2008, library technicians on the state payroll received average annual wages over 60% higher than the average annual wages of library technicians in Illinois.

Welders working for the Illinois Toll Highway Authority received average annual wages 73% higher than the average for welders in Illinois.

In 2008, the Department of Human Services had a baker on their payroll receiving $34,628 in annual wages.

In 2008, the 9 landscape architects on the state payroll received wages that were almost $20,000 higher than the average annual wages for all landscape architects in Illinois.

In 2008, social workers in all of Illinois made 17% less, on average, than social workers employed by the State of Illinois.

In 2008, the state spent nearly $115,000 to provide tour guides at the State Capitol.

There were 18 archivists on the state payroll in 2008, and they received average annual wages of $58,833.