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“TROOPERGATE”
OUTRAGES ILLINOIS TAXPAYERS
An analysis released by Illinois Taxpayer Education Foundation (ITEF)
reveals just how much the Illinois State Police (ISP) is costing
Illinois taxpayers. At the end of 2009, more than 35% of the 2,000
state troopers—that’s 743 people, to be exact—had salaries in
excess of $100,000. Leading the way were Lt. Carl
Anderson at $189,015, Master Sergeant Manual Lebron
at $184,863 and Sergeant Walter Valentine at
$175,452. Eighty-four employees made more than Director
Jonathon Monken’s salary of $132,566.
“The Top 100 ISP Salaries averaged an amazing $142,000 per year,”
said Jim Tobin, ITEF President. “This is outrageous
because, with the possible exception of the state crime lab, virtually
all of the state police force is superfluous and can be done away
with. This would save Illinois taxpayers at least $300 million a
year.”
“Why does the ISP need 22 fingerprint technicians and 300 forensic
scientists?” asked Tobin. “And why are there 129 Public Service
Administrators at an average annual salary of $85,000? What exactly do
these people do for the Illinois taxpayer?”
“Is there a need for 700 highly paid supervisors for 1,100
troopers? Do these same troopers really need 56 Captains (average
salary $133,000), 78 Lieutenants (average salary $121,000), 295 Master
Sergeants (average salary $109,000), and 234 Sergeants (average salary
$107,000) in order to do their job? I don’t think so.”
Commenting on ISP Director Monken’s “threat” to
lay off 460 troopers, Tobin says: “Illinois taxpayers are currently
paying top dollar for over 2,000 state troopers whose primary job is
to generate revenue for their respective counties by ticketing those
same taxpayers.”
"Monken estimates the expected loss in “citation revenue” to be $12
million per year, but the cost savings would be $58 million (which
includes $41M in salaries, $5M in fringe benefits, and $12M in
pensions). So who cares if the government loses $12 million in
speeding ticket fines? Furthermore, if the state kept only the police
lab, estimated savings would total at least $300 million out of the
$410 million ISP budget."
“Eliminating the Illinois State Police is an example of how
Illinois state expenditures can be cut by $300 million without
reducing essential service.”
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE TOP 100 STATE TROOPER SALARIES
OF 2009
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Jim Tobin is President of the Illinois Taxpayer Education
Foundation. |
