Joliet Spent $2M For Retiree Payouts In 2020: Patch Analysis

JOLIET, IL — At a time when 80 percent of the city of Joliet's operating budget now goes toward employee pay and fringe benefits, Joliet's taxpayers shelled out more than $2 million to 38 employees who retired in 2020, a Joliet Patch analysis found.

The payouts went to retiring Joliet employees cashing out their unused vacation, sick leave banks and, in the cases of members of the Joliet Police Department, sizeable comp time accruals.

At least 22 of Joliet's 38 retirees last year received a retirement payout of at least $50,000.

The smallest payout was $845, to a retiring city janitor who made an annual salary of $69,153, according to data Joliet Patch obtained through the Freedom of Information Act.

Nine Joliet retirees from 2020 received payouts between $70,000 and $129,100.

Of the nine, eight worked at the Joliet Police Department where the average retirement payout was about $64,459 last year, Joliet Patch determined.

All of these city of Joliet retirement payouts are in addition to the lifetime pensions they're collecting.

The retirement payouts for unused sick, vacation and comp time nest eggs for Joliet employees come at a time when a larger percentage of the city's operating budget is going for employee salaries and fringe benefits. Nowadays, less revenue is available for neighborhoods, new roads, sidewalks, sewers, and other major public infrastructure improvements or community betterment projects.

About 25 years ago, one city official told Patch, about 65 percent of Joliet's operating budget went for salaries and fringe benefits, unlike now, when that percentage has climbed to 80 percent.

Here's a summary of Joliet employees who received a retirement payout exceeding $50,000 in 2020:

Laroy Aldridge
Battalion chief at Joliet Fire Department
Final salary was $145,651
Retirement severance payout was $53,486

Jeff Allbert
Joliet police captain
Final salary was $152,046
Retirement severance payout was $89,443

Robert "Bert" Badertscher
Joliet police K-9 handler
Final salary was $106,770
Retirement severance payout was $53,521

Rich Demick
Joliet police captain
Final salary was $152,046
Retirement severance payout was $129,100

Mike Eulitz
Public assets supervisor, public works division
Final salary was $138,720
Retirement severance payout was $65,072

Jeffrey Fornoff
Joliet police evidence technician
Final salary was $106,770
Retirement severance payout was $102,742

Robert Hall
Joliet police sergeant
Final salary was $126,306
Retirement severance payout was $61,927

Lindsey Heavener
Joliet police sergeant
Final salary was $126,306
Retirement severance payout was $60,221

Michael Hibler
Joliet firefighter/paramedic
Final salary was $108,623
Retirement severance payout was $50,601

Kendall Jackson
Director of community development
Final salary was $145,656
Retirement severance payout was $70,590

Gregory Jordan
Joliet police lieutenant
Final salary was $138,563
Retirement severance payout was $68,121

Kevin LaBolle
Joliet police lieutenant
Final salary was $138,563
Retirement severance payout was $78,814

Bruce Larson
Joliet police captain
Final salary was $152,046
Retirement severance payout was $68,015

Rodney Leggero
Joliet fire captain
Final salary was $129,498
Retirement severance payout was $60,776

Phil Martin
Joliet police officer
Final salary was $106,770
Retirement severance payout was $86,813

Ken Mihelich
City finance department
Final salary was $151,304
Retirement severance payout was $67,357

Scott Nicodemus
Joliet police sergeant
Final salary was $126,306
Retirement severance payout was $72,653

Leslie O'Connor
Joliet police captain
Final salary was $152,046
Retirement severance payout was $93,551

Scott Shear
Joliet firefighter/paramedic
Final salary was $108,623
Retirement severance payout was $58,112

Jeff Sterr
City neighborhood services director
Final salary was $121,502
Retirement severance payout was $52,769

Phil Stice
Joliet police sergeant
Final salary was $126,306
Retirement severance payout was $80,114

Bob Wohlrab
Joliet fire captain
Final salary was $129,498
Retirement severance payout was $59,162