KEVIN HOFFMAN
JUL 15, 2014
As you’d probably expect, a good chunk of individuals receiving the fattest Illinois pensions are former public school district superintendents.
In fact, out of the 200 largest government pensions, 76 were school administrators, according to data published by Taxpayers United of America (TUA). Dave Urbanek, a spokesman at the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), questioned the validity of TUA’s calculations for estimated lifetime pension payouts as well as for the percentage of lifetime estimate paid by employees. The original data used to make those calculations was acquired from TRS through Freedom of Information Act requests.
To avoid information overload, you’ll find only the top 50 below. The first seven district superintendents were previously on this list of the top 25 Illinois government pensions. If you have trouble reading the graphic, there is a plain text version that follows.
(*Assumes life expectancy of 85 and 3 percent cost of living adjustment compounded annually)
1. Lawrence A. Wyllie
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Lincoln-Way High School District 210
- Annual Pension: $289,861
- Employee Contributions: $398,488
- Age at Retirement: 75 (Retired June 2013)
- Pension Paid to Date: $219,006
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $3,163,732
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 12.6%
2. Henry S. Bangser
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: New Trier Township High School District 203
- Annual Pension: $285,945
- Employee Contributions: $275,366
- Age at Retirement: 57 (Retired July 2006)
- Pension Paid to Date: $1,917,706
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $9,601,168
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 2.9%
3. Gary T. Catalani
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Community Unit School District 200
- Annual Pension: $284,674
- Employee Contributions: $289,151
- Age at Retirement: 56 (Retired June 2011)
- Pension Paid to Date: $1,652,783
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $10,345,806
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 2.8%
4. Laura L. Murray
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School District 233
- Annual Pension: $280,070
- Employee Contributions: $298,591
- Age at Retirement: 57 (Retired July 2008)
- Pension Paid to Date: $1,442,008
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $9,994,442
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.0%
5. Mary M. Curley
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Hinsdale Community Consolidate School District 181
- Annual Pension: $272,012
- Employee Contributions: $248,708
- Age at Retirement: 55 (Retired June 2007)
- Pension Paid to Date: $1,579,270
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $10,406,837
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 2.4%
6. Maureen L. Hager
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: North Shore School District 112
- Annual Pension: $263,741
- Employee Contributions: $277,774
- Age at Retirement: 58 (Retired June 2009)
- Pension Paid to Date: $1,132,953
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $9,186,752
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.0%
7. Jonathan E. Lamberson
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Riverside School District 96
- Annual Pension: $262,516
- Employee Contributions: $370,166
- Age at Retirement: 58 (Retired June 2013)
- Pension Paid to Date: $218,764
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $10,339,571
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.6%
8. Larry K. Fleming
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Lincolnshire-Prairie View 103
- Annual Pension: $258,163
- Employee Contributions: $326,507
- Age at Retirement: 55 (Retired June 2012)
- Pension Paid to Date: $452,502
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $11,535,660
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 2.8%
9. James S. Hintz
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Adlai Stevenson High School District 125
- Annual Pension: $256,583
- Employee Contributions: $235,017
- Age at Retirement: 55 (Retired June 2005)
- Pension Paid to Date: $1,901,220
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $9,259,110
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 2.5%
10. Mohsin M. Dada
- Title: Assistant District Superintendent & Treasurer
- Currently the Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer at North Shore School District 112
- Employer: Schaumburg Community Consolidated School District 54
- Annual Pension: $254,700
- Employee Contributions: $299,494
- Age at Retirement: 59
- Pension Paid to Date: $655,775
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $8,921,536
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.4%
11. John G. Conyers
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Palatine Community Consolidated School District 15
- Annual Pension: $252,121
- Employee Contributions: $217,805
- Age at Retirement: 57 (Retired June 2003)
- Pension Paid to Date: $2,260,905
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $7,747,457
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 2.8%
12. Kevin G. Burns
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Community High School District 218 (based in Oak Lawn)
- Annual Pension: $246,804
- Employee Contributions: $223,197
- Age at Retirement: 55 (Retired June 2007)
- Pension Paid to Date: $1,404,489
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $9,414,003
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 2.4%
13. Dennis G. Kelly
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Lyons Township High School District 204
- Annual Pension: $244,044
- Employee Contributions: $289,587
- Age at Retirement: 62 (Retired July 2009)
- Pension Paid to Date: $677,835
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $6,391,976
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 4.5%
14. Harry D. Griffith
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Lake Forest School District 67
- Annual Pension: $241,557
- Employee Contributions: $337,364
- Age at Retirement: 61 (Retired June 2012)
- Pension Paid to Date: $394,676
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $7,771,060
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 4.3%
15. Howard J. Bultinck
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Sunset Ridge School District 29
- Annual Pension: $240,024
- Employee Contributions: $257,014
- Age at Retirement: 57 (Retired June 2007)
- Pension Paid to Date: $1,416,684
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $8,299,743
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.1%
16. Norman R. Wetzel
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Community Unit School District 300
- Annual Pension: $239,341
- Employee Contributions: $179,203
- Age at Retirement: 55 (Retired June 2002)
- Pension Paid to Date: $2,303,405
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $7,907,433
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 2.3%
17. Lawrence M. Baskin
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Glen Ellyn Community Consolidated School District 89
- Annual Pension: $237,497
- Employee Contributions: $216,134
- Age at Retirement: 58 (Retired June 2005)
- Pension Paid to Date: $1,796,334
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $7,357,195
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 2.9%
18. Henry A. Gmitro
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Community Consolidated School District 93 (based in Bloomingdale)
- Annual Pension: $234,803
- Employee Contributions: $282,750
- Age at Retirement: 56 (Retired July 2009)
- Pension Paid to Date: $1,115,313
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $9,198,745
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.1%
19. Ronald C. Patton
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Bloom Township High School District 206
- Annual Pension: $232,004
- Employee Contributions: $203,340
- Age at Retirement: 58 (Retired July 2004)
- Pension Paid to Date: $1,930,173
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $6,978,947
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 2.9%
20. Marvin E. Edwards
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: School District U-46 (based in Elgin)
- Annual Pension: $231,247
- Employee Contributions: $0
- Age at Retirement: 58 (Retired July 2004)
- Pension Paid to Date: $2,271,298
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $6,572,249
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 0.0%
21. Timothy D. Kanold
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Adlai Stevenson High School District 125
- Annual Pension: $230,041
- Employee Contributions: $213,978
- Age at Retirement: 56 (Retired June 2007)
- Pension Paid to Date: $1,335,592
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $8,360,306
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 2.6%
22. Gerald D. Chapman
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Palatine Township Hight School District 211
- Annual Pension: $227,908
- Employee Contributions: $196,925
- Age at Retirement: 57 (Retired June 2007)
- Pension Paid to Date: $2,385,088
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $6,623,926
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.0%
23. Dennis R. Conti
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Woodland Community Consolidated School District 50
- Annual Pension: $225,415
- Employee Contributions: $220,399
- Age at Retirement: 57 (Retired June 2005)
- Pension Paid to Date: $1,704,946
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $7,366,655
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.0%
24. James J. Gallagher
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Evergreen Park Community High Sschool District 231
- Annual Pension: $224,493
- Employee Contributions: $249,906
- Age at Retirement: 60 (Retired July 2008)
- Pension Paid to Date: $1,176,860
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $6,815,433
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.7%
25. Glenn W. McGee
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Wilmette School District 39
- Annual Pension: $221,742
- Employee Contributions: $260,525
- Age at Retirement: 56 (Retired June 2007)
- Pension Paid to Date: $1,299,699
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $8,071,001
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.2%
26. Donald E. Weber
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Naperville Community Unit School District 203
- Annual Pension: $221,464
- Employee Contributions: $213,568
- Age at Retirement: 61 (Retired July 2003)
- Pension Paid to Date: $2,023,316
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $5,482,092
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.9%
27. Edward F. Rafferty
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Schaumburg Community Consolidated School District 54
- Annual Pension: $221,083
- Employee Contributions: $331,473
- Age at Retirement: 58 (Retired June 2013)
- Pension Paid to Date: $167,041
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $8,690,475
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.8%
28. Susan J. Bridge
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Oak Park-River Forest School District 200
- Annual Pension: $220,833
- Employee Contributions: $238,380
- Age at Retirement: 60 (Retired June 2007)
- Pension Paid to Date: $1,340,443
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $6,511,117
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.7%
29. Linda M. Hanson
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Highland Park Township High School District 113
- Annual Pension: $220,249
- Employee Contributions: $183,720
- Age at Retirement: 56 (Retired July 2003)
- Pension Paid to Date: $1,979,434
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $7,136,433
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 2.6%
30. Jack K. Barshinger
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Batavia Unit School District 101
- Annual Pension: $219,997
- Employee Contributions: $307,184
- Age at Retirement: 59 (Retired June 2013)
- Pension Paid to Date: $166,220
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $8,187,147
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.8%
31. Kathryn J. Robbins
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Leyden Community High School District 212
- Annual Pension: $217,958
- Employee Contributions: $315,660
- Age at Retirement: 58 (Retired June 2013)
- Pension Paid to Date: $164,679
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $8,567,616
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.7%
32. Christopher J. Ward
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Lockport Township High School District 205
- Annual Pension: $217,784
- Employee Contributions: $199,728
- Age at Retirement: 60 (Retired July 2004)
- Pension Paid to Date: $1,829,970
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $5,880,516
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.4%
33. Steve K. Humphrey
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: DuPage High School District 88
- Annual Pension: $217,756
- Employee Contributions: $346,253
- Age at Retirement: 64 (Retired June 2012)
- Pension Paid to Date: $367,523
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $5,836,874
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 5.9%
34. James W. White
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Queen Bee School District 16
- Annual Pension: $217,082
- Employee Contributions: $270,104
- Age at Retirement: 64 (Retired June 2012)
- Pension Paid to Date: $1,138,007
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $5,862,057
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 4.6%
35. Jean B. McGrew
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Northfield Township High School District 225
- Annual Pension: $216,984
- Employee Contributions: $204,323
- Age at Retirement: 64 (Retired July 1998)
- Pension Paid to Date: $2,674,602
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $3,826,598
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 5.3%
36. Bruce A. Lane
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Mannheim School District 83
- Annual Pension: $216,192
- Employee Contributions: $285,661
- Age at Retirement: 60 (Retired July 2011)
- Pension Paid to Date: $565,194
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $7,167,013
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 4.0%
37. Joseph A. Palermo
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Berkeley School District 87
- Annual Pension: $216,162
- Employee Contributions: $260,911
- Age at Retirement: 59 (Retired July 2009)
- Pension Paid to Date: $949,395
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $7,148,151
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.7%
38. Robert T. Howard
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Community Consolidated School District 59
- Annual Pension: $213,632
- Employee Contributions: $168,445
- Age at Retirement: 59 (Retired July 2004)
- Pension Paid to Date: $1,795,080
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $6,101,229
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 2.8%
39. Jack B. Schoenholtz
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Leyden Community High School District 212
- Annual Pension: $213,197
- Employee Contributions: $176,716
- Age at Retirement: 61 (Retired July 1999)
- Pension Paid to Date: $2,553,926
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $4,719,812
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.7%
40. Linda J. Vieth
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Sunset Ridge School District 29
- Annual Pension: $213,174
- Employee Contributions: $277,223
- Age at Retirement: 55 (Retired June 2013)
- Pension Paid to Date: $161,065
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $9,800,542
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 2.8%
41. Mark Van Clay
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: La Grange School District 102
- Annual Pension: $212,984
- Employee Contributions: $262,100
- Age at Retirement: 61 (Retired July 2009)
- Pension Paid to Date: $935,550
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $6,285,042
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 4.2%
42. Richard P. Dufour
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Adlai Stevenson High School District 125
- Annual Pension: $212,739
- Employee Contributions: $190,390
- Age at Retirement: 54 (Retired June 2002)
- Pension Paid to Date: $2,026,238
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $7,369,564
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 2.6%
43. Roger K. Miller
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Hinsdale Township High School District 86
- Annual Pension: $211,874
- Employee Contributions: $228,301
- Age at Retirement: 60 (Retired July 2005)
- Pension Paid to Date: $1,620,256
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $5,890,973
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.9%
44. Paul Swanstrom
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Joliet Township High School District 204
- Annual Pension: $211,393
- Employee Contributions: $273,560
- Age at Retirement: 58 (Retired July 2011)
- Pension Paid to Date: $544,406
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $7,821,936
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.5%
45. Michael Smoot
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Wood Dale School District 7
- Annual Pension: $210,556
- Employee Contributions: $215,265
- Age at Retirement: 61 (Retired July 2004)
- Pension Paid to Date: $1,769,238
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $5,366,870
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 4.0%
46. Sandra Renner
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Butler School District 53
- Annual Pension: $210,480
- Employee Contributions: $310,196
- Age at Retirement: 54 (Retired June 2013)
- Pension Paid to Date: $159,030
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $10,172,714
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.0%
47. Donna M. Joy
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Flossmoor School District 161
- Annual Pension: $209,839
- Employee Contributions: $274,489
- Age at Retirement: 64 (Retired July 2011)
- Pension Paid to Date: $548,586
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $5,461,858
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 5.0%
48. Roger M. Bergia
- Title: District Superintendent
- *Currently School Treasurer at Peoria Heights Community Unit School District 325
- Employer: Peoria Heights Community Unit School District 325
- Annual Pension: $208,845
- Employee Contributions: $269,681
- Age at Retirement: 74 (Retired June 2012)
- Pension Paid to Date: $352,484
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $2,474,164
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 10.9%
49. Patrick A. McMahon
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Consolidated High School District 230
- Annual Pension: $208,559
- Employee Contributions: $227,859
- Age at Retirement: 57 (Retired June 2007)
- Pension Paid to Date: $1,230,965
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $7,211,691
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.2%
50. Lawrence C. Pekoe
- Title: District Superintendent
- Employer: Deerfield School District 109
- Annual Pension: $207,458
- Employee Contributions: $139,232
- Age at Retirement: 56 (Retired July 2005)
- Pension Paid to Date: $1,553,725
- *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $7,128,187
- Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 2.0%
Next article: See which state lawmakers are saying, “No, thanks,” to their pension plans
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Kevin Hoffman is a Reboot Illinois staff writer who graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in journalism, political science and international studies. He believes keeping citizens informed and politicians in check is the best way to improve Illinois and bring about common sense reform. Follow us on Facebook.