Will County Gazette

The total compensation package of 31 Village of Frankfort employees will exceed $150,000 in the new fiscal year. Amendments to the Illinois Open Meetings Act and the Illinois Pension Code require public bodies to post the total compensation packages of those employees on their websites.

"Total compensation package" for purposes of the Act means "payment by the employer to the employee for salary, health insurance, a housing allowance, a vehicle allowance, a clothing allowance, bonuses, loans, vacation days granted, sick days granted," according to the Village of Frankfort's website.

According to the Village of Frankfort's Total Compensation Reports web page, Village Administrator Robert Piscia's salary and benefits amount to $248,095, making him the highest-paid employee. He began working for Frankfort in 1987. Police Chief Leanne Chelepis started working for the Village in 2002 and her total compensation package is $243,458. Deputy Chief Kevin Keegan started working for Frankfort in January 1998 and his compensation has risen to $236,004. Deputy Chief William Dowding was hired 11 months later than Keegan and his compensation package is $232,345.

Assistant Village Administrator John Burica is another long-time Village employee who was hired in July 1998. His total salary and benefits will be $208,118. Police Sgt. Michael Jaicomo started working with the village in 2005 and his total compensation is $208,027. Fellow Sgt. Scott Potter began his career with the Village in October 1994 and his total salary and benefits match Jaicomo's package. Finance Director Jennifer Booth's total for salary and benefits was set at $203,921; she started working for the Village in January 2016.

Fifteen patrol officers, including evidence and investigative officers, have salaries above $100,000 and compensation packages well above $150,000. Three other police sergeants have compensation packages over $150,000.

Utilities Director Zachary Brown ($182,878), Public Works Director Terry Kestel ($182,935), Community Development Director Michael Schwarz ($161,368), and Adam Nielsen ($153,374), manager of Building and Economic Development had compensation packages that required their inclusion on the list.