$14 Million in Wages at the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
In 2008 the Illinois Historic Preservation paid its 389 employees $14 million to help
by Mark Cavers
Using information from IlllinoisOpenGov.org, I found that in 2008, the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency employed 389 employees at a total cost to taxpayers of $14,091,164.68. The ten highest paid employees at this agency made a combined $1,034,340.38 in fiscal year 2009. The highest paid employee, Richard Beard, made $129,687.50 and was placed on administrative leave due to pendingshop lifting charges, reports the State Journal Register.
According to the Agency’s website, it employs close to 240 people year round in addition to contractual, student, and seasonal workers. The Agency “preserves and protects” around 60 historical and memorial sites across Illinois.
If you are interested in getting information on this agency’s operating budget, I advise against trying their website where all you will find is this, less than helpful, explanation: “In recent years, the Agency’s overall state operating budget has been approximately $, with approximately $ from federal sources.”
You can find this information by going to IllinoisOpenGov.org, clicking on “Payroll” and searching for “Department of Historic Preservation” in the “Agency” section.