Under Illinois law, municipalities that participate in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund must publicly list all employees earning more than $75,000 in total.
The Journal Star reviews these public documents and shares the contents of the reports with readers for transparency. Pekin’s compensation report includes annual salary; training and other benefits; vacation pay; equipment and uniform allowances; and stipends.
Here are the 20 highest salaries for Pekin workers for 2024-25, according to the city’s annual compensation report. The report is not posted on the city of Pekin’s website, but copies are available to the public 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 city and is responsible for the city’s day-to-day operations, implementing city policies, preparing and submitting budgets to the City Council, managing personnel, and providing 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 Police Chief Ranney is paid an annual salary of $142,139.92 plus an annual stipend of $1,100 for equipment and uniforms, 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 role of city manager.
3. Trent Reeise
Reeise receives an annual salary of $142,139.92 and a $700 allowance for equipment and uniform, for a total compensation of $142,839.92. The Pekin Fire Chief is responsible for the administrative, financial, and operational aspects of the fire department.
4. Courtney Hutchinson
Hutchinson, one of the city’s two deputy police chiefs, earns an annual salary of $131,839.76 and a uniform allowance of $1,100, for a total compensation package of $132,939.76.
5. Brian Willmert
Willmert, deputy police chief, earns a total of $132,939.76, which consists of an annual salary of $131,839.76 and a uniform allowance of $1,100.
6. Anthony Rendleman
Pekin’s deputy fire chief’s annual salary is $131,839.76. Rendleman’s annual uniform allowance of $700 brings 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 includes an annual salary of $124,578.48.
8. Joshua Bush
Bush was a lieutenant in the Beijing police and his annual salary was estimated at $121,036.76, with an allowance of $1,100 for equipment and uniform, making a total compensation of $122,136.76.
9.Matthew Damron
Damron’s total salary of $122,136.76 as a police lieutenant consists of an annual salary of $121,036.76 and an equipment and uniform allowance of $1,100.
10. Robert Jones
As a lieutenant in the Peking police, Jones’ annual salary was estimated at $121,036.76, with $1,100 in equipment and uniform allowance, making a total compensation of $122,136.76.
11.Matthew Kirk
Kirk is listed as a lieutenant with 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 equipment and uniform allowance of $1,100, bringing his total compensation to $122,136.76.
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13. Josie Esker
As Pekin’s city engineer, Esker manages and directs municipal engineer products. Her total compensation of $117,022.24 includes an annual salary of $116,122.24 and a $900 stipend, according to the compensation report.
14. Nic Maquet
Pekin’s chief building official, Maquet, is responsible for ensuring that buildings meet building codes and regulations. His total compensation includes his annual salary of $110,929.
15. Craig Zukowski
Zukowski’s total compensation in his role as assistant fire chief was listed as $121,437.34. In addition to his annual salary of $107,196.70, he would receive $7,503.77 for training and other incentives, $6,036.87 for police and firefighter vacation pay, and a $700 equipment and uniform allowance.
16. Robert Baughman
As assistant fire chief for the city, Baughman’s annual salary was listed as $107,196.70. His compensation of $119,180.56 included $5,359.84 for training and other incentives, $5,924.03 for police and firefighter vacation pay, and a $700 equipment and uniform allowance.
17. John Turner
As an assistant fire chief, Turner earns a total of $119,180, and has an annual salary of $107,196.70, an education and other bonus allowance of $5,359.84, $5,924.03 for police and firefighter vacations, and a $700 equipment and uniform allowance.
18. Sue McMillan
Pekin City Clerk McMillan’s total salary is $102,194.82 per year.
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19. Shelly Costa
Pekin’s Human Resources Director receives total compensation in the form of an annual salary of $101,969.92.
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20. Brian Franciscovich
Franciscovich is Pekin’s street department operations supervisor. His total compensation consists of an annual salary of $101,351.90.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Highest-paid workers in Beijing: 20 salaries over $100,000 a year
