Who are Pekin's highest-paid city employees? These 20 have salaries over $100K a year

7 months ago 76

Illinois statute requires municipalities that participate in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund to publicly post a list of all employees making more than $75,000 in total compensation.

The Journal Star is reviewing those public documents and sharing contents of the reports with readers for transparency. Pekin's compensation report includes annual salary; education and other premiums; holiday payouts; allowances for equipment and uniforms; and stipends.

Here are the 20 highest salaries for Pekin employees for 2024-25, according to the city's annual compensation report. The report has not been posted on the City of Pekin website, but copies are available for public viewing at Pekin City Hall at 11 S. Capitol St. or by emailing Pekin city clerk Sue McMillan at smcmillan@ci.pekin.il.us.

1. John Dossey

As Pekin's city manager, Dossey is the administrative head of the municipality and responsible for its day-to-day operations, implementing city policies, preparing and submitting budgets to the City Council, personnel management and delivery of city services. He is Pekin's highest-paid city employee, with an annual salary of $175,100.12, which is also his total compensation, according to Pekin's compensation report.

2. Seth Ranney

Pekin's police chief, Ranney collects an annual salary of $142,139.92, and an annual $1,100 equipment and uniform allowance for a total compensation of $143,239.92. Ranney served as the city's deputy police chief until 2023, when then-police Chief Dossey assumed the city manager role.

3. Trent Reeise

Reeise garners a $142,139.92 annual salary and a $700 equipment and uniform allowance for a total compensation of $142,839.92. Pekin's fire chief is responsible for the Fire Department's administrative, fiscal and operational aspects.

4. Courtney Hutchinson

One of the city's two deputy police chiefs, Hutchinson earns an annual salary of $131,839.76 and a $1,100 uniform allowance for a total compensation package of $132,939.76

5. Brian Willmert

A deputy police chief, Willmert's $132,939.76 total compensation includes a $131,839.76 annual salary and a $1,100 uniform allowance.

6. Anthony Rendleman

The annual salary for Pekin's deputy fire chief is $131,839.76. Rendleman's $700 annual uniform allowance boosts his total compensation to $132,539.76

7. Dean Schneider

The city's public works director, Schneider oversees the day-to-day maintenance of Pekin's infrastructure services. His total compensation consists of a $124,578.48 annual salary.

8. Joshua Bush

A lieutenant with the Pekin Police Department, Bush's annual salary was listed as $121,036.76, with an $1,100 equipment and uniform allowance for a total compensation of $122,136.76.

9. Matthew Damron

Damron's $122,136.76 total compensation as a police lieutenant includes a $121,036.76 annual salary and an $1,100 equipment and uniform allowance.

10. Robert Jones

As a Pekin police lieutenant, Jones' annual salary was listed as $121,036.76, with $1,100 in equipment and uniform allowance for a total compensation of $122,136.76.

11. Matthew Kirk

Kirk is listed as a lieutenant in the Pekin Police Department with an annual salary of $121,036.76. His total compensation is listed as $122,136.76, which includes $1,100 in equipment and uniform allowance.

12. Justin Rabe

With a title of lieutenant in the Pekin Police Department, Rabe's annual salary was listed as $121,036.76. He also receives an $1,100 equipment and uniform allowance, bringing his total compensation to $122,136.76.

More: What to know about the new $44 million justice center expansion coming to Pekin

13. Josie Esker

As Pekin's city engineer, Esker manages and directs municipal engineer products. Her $117,022.24 total compensation consists of a $116,122.24 annual salary and a $900 allowance, according to the compensation report.

14. Nic Maquet

Pekin's chief building official, Maquet's role is to ensure buildings comply with building codes and regulations. His total compensation consists of his $110,929 annual salary.

15. Craig Zukowski

Zukowski's total compensation in his role as an assistant fire chief was listed as $121,437.34. In addition to his $107,196.70 annual salary, he was set to receive $7,503.77 for education and other premiums, $6,036.87 for police and fire holiday payouts, and a $700 equipment and uniform allowance.

16. Robert Baughman

As assistance fire chief for the city, Baughman's annual salary was listed as $107,196.70. His $119,180.56 compensation included $5,359.84 for education and other premiums, $5,924.03 for police and fire holiday payouts, and a $700 equipment and uniform allowance.

17. John Turner

An assistant fire chief, Turner's $119,180 total compensation package includes a $107,196.70 annual salary, a $5,359.84 education and other premiums allowance, $5,924.03 for police and fire holiday payouts, and a $700 equipment and uniform allowance.