25 people with the highest pensions in the state as of April 1, 2014.

Here’s a list of 25 people with the highest pensions in the state as of April 1, 2014.  This list is from:  http://www.rebootillinois.com/2014/07/02/editors-picks/kevin-hoffmanrebootillinois-com/top-25-highest-illinois-government-pensions/19817/?utm_source=hotlist_20140707&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=

You’ll notice many of the pensioners are/were employed by the University of Illinois-Chicago College of Medicine. Last year, the Better Government Association found that a handful of UIC employees retired, began collecting their pensions, and then were rehired after waiting the required 60 days in order to work part-time for a smaller salary.

Similar to the Naperville police chief who “double dips” — collects a pension on top of a taxpayer-funded salary —  nine UIC College of Medicine employees on this list are receiving pension payouts along with salaries.

 

(*Assumes Life Expectancy of 85 and 3% COLA compounded annually.)

1. Tapas K. Das Gupta

• Title: Professor/Head of Department of Surgical Oncology, Chief of Service (Current)
• Employer: University of Illinois-Chicago
• Qualifications: M.D. / Ph.D.
• Annual Pension: $452,843
• Employee Contributions: $475,331
• Age at Retirement: 72
• Pension Paid to Date: $3,876,691
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $5,276,384
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 9.0%

2. Edward Abraham

• Title: Orthopedic Surgeon (Current)
• Employer: University of Illinois-Chicago
• Qualifications: M.D.
• Annual Pension: $439,965
• Employee Contributions: $535,165
• Age at Retirement: 66
• Pension Paid to Date: $2,829,593 
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $9,073,587
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 5.9%

3. Mahmood Mafee

• Title: Clinical Professor of Radiology (Current)
• Employer: University of Illinois-Chicago
• Qualifications: M.D.
• Annual Pension: $392,682
• Employee Contributions: $562,570
• Age at Retirement: 64
• Pension Paid to Date: $2,708,810
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $8,841,639
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 6.4%

4. Herand Abcarian

• Title: Professor of Surgery / Division of Colorectal Surgery (Current)
• Employer: University of Illinois-Chicago
• Qualifications: M.D.
• Annual Pension: $359,360
• Employee Contributions: $628,987
• Age at Retirement: 67
• Pension Paid to Date: $1,791,316 
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $6,891,360
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 9.1%

5. Ronald Albrecht

• Title: Associate Professor of Anesthesiology; Chief, Anesthesiology Service, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center (Current)
• Employer: University of Illinois-Chicago
• Qualifications: M.D.
• Annual Pension: $358,002
• Employee Contributions: $462,077
• Age at Retirement: 70
• Pension Paid to Date: $2,254,661
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $5,438,136
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 8.5%

6. James Ausman

• Title: Chairman of the Neuropsychiatric Institute (1991-2001)
• Employer: University of Illinois-Chicago
• Qualifications: M.D.
• Annual Pension: $328,767
• Employee Contributions:  $418,471
• Age at Retirement: 70
• Pension Paid to Date: $1,868,250
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $5,208,225
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 8.0%

7. Jacob Wilensky

• Title: Professor of Ophthalmology (Current)
• Employer: University of Illinois-Chicago
• Qualifications: M.D.
• Annual Pension: $306,456
• Employee Contributions: $410,791
• Age at Retirement: 62
• Pension Paid to Date: $2,565,764
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $7,351,922
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 5.6%

8. Phillip Forman

• Title: Professor Emeritus of Health Policy & Administration (Current)
• Employer: University of Illinois-Chicago
• Qualifications: M.D.
• Annual Pension: $298,740
• Employee Contributions: $376,541
• Age at Retirement: 67
• Pension Paid to Date: $2,987,430
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $4,919,800
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 7.7%

9. Joel Sugar

• Title: Professor of Ophthalmology; Cornea Service Vice Chair; Clinical Operations (Current)
• Employer: University of Illinois-Chicago
• Qualifications: M.D.
• Annual Pension: $290,789
• Employee Contributions: $446,643
• Age at Retirement: 59
• Pension Paid to Date: $2,488,810
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $8,350,201
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 5.3%

10. Lawrence A. Wyllie

• Title: District Superintendent
• Employer: Lincoln-Way High School District 210
• Qualifications: Ed.D.
• Annual Pension: $289,861
• Employee Contributions: $398,488
• Age at Retirement: 75 (Retired June 30, 2013)
• Pension Paid to Date: $219,006
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $3,163,732
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 12.6%

11. Edward A. Andersen

• Title: President & CEO
• Employer: CGH Medical-Sterling
• Qualifications: BA/MBA
• Annual Pension: $289,626
• Employee Contributions: $312,570
• Age at Retirement: N/A (Retired Jan. 4, 2013)
• Pension Paid to Date: $309,750
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: N/A
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 0.0%

12. Henry S. Bangser

• Title: District Superintendent
• Employer: New Trier TWP HSD 203
• Qualifications: Ed.D
• 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%

13. Gary T. Catalani

• Title: District Superintendent
• Employer: Community Unit SD 200
• Qualifications: Ed.D
• Annual Pension: $284,674
• Employee Contributions: $289,151
• Age at Retirement: 56 (Retired June 30, 2011)
• Pension Paid to Date: $1,652,783
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $10,345,806
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 2.8%

14. Craig Bazzani

• Title: Vice President for Business Affairs
• Employer: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Qualifications: N/A
• Annual Pension: $281,767
• Employee Contributions: $298,686
• Age at Retirement: 55 (Retired 2002, but under a pension formula intended for police officers and firefighters)
• Pension Paid to Date: $2,834,047
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $9,431,462
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.2%

15. Laura L. Murray

• Title: District Superintendent
• Employer: Homewood-Flossmoor CHSD 233
• Qualifications: Ed.D
• Annual Pension: $280,070
• Employee Contributions: $298,591
• Age at Retirement: 57
• Pension Paid to Date: $1,442,008
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $9,994,442
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.0%

16. George R. Honig

• Title: Professor Emeritus Department of Pediatrics (Current)
• Employer: University of Illinois-Chicago
• Qualifications: M.D. / Ph.D.
• Annual Pension: $279,628
• Employee Contributions: $401,027
• Age at Retirement: 67
• Pension Paid to Date: $2,478,490
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $4,965,034
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 8.1%

17. Joel Milner

• Title: Professor Emeritus Psychology
• Employer: Northern Illinois University
• Qualifications: Ph.D.
• Annual Pension: $277,316
• Employee Contributions: $429,142
• Age at Retirement: 63
• Pension Paid to Date: $1,746,505
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $6,904,273
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 6.2%

18. Mary M. Curley

• Title: District Superintendent
• Employer: Hinsdale CCSD 181
• Qualifications: Ed.D
• Annual Pension: $272,012
• Employee Contributions: $248,708
• Age at Retirement: 55
• Pension Paid to Date: $1,579,270
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $10,406,837
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 2.4%

19. John Roland Folse

• Title: Head of Department of Surgery
• Employer: Southern Illinois University-Carbondale College of Medicine
• Qualifications: M.D.
• Annual Pension: $271,556
• Employee Contributions: $288,201
• Age at Retirement: 67
• Pension Paid to Date: $3,128,842
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $4,264,931
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 6.8%

20. James J. Schuler

• Title: Surgeon in Division of Vascular Surgery
• Employer: University of Illinois-Chicago
• Qualifications: M.D.
• Annual Pension: $269,615
• Employee Contributions: $564,913
• Age at Retirement: 59
• Pension Paid to Date: $2,104,504
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $7,971,747
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 7.1%

21. Gerald S. Moss

• Title: Dean of UIC College of Medicine
• Employer: University of Illinois-Chicago
• Qualifications: M.D.
• Annual Pension: $266,394
• Employee Contributions: $475,674
• Age at Retirement: 70 (Retired 2004)
• Pension Paid to Date: $2,028,208
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $3,751,356
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 12.7%

22. Nick Holonyak, Jr.

• Title: Professor Emeritus of Electrical and Computer Engineering (Invented LED lighting)
• Employer: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Qualifications: Ph.D.
• Annual Pension: $266,257
• Employee Contributions: $125,718
• Age at Retirement: 84
• Pension Paid to Date: $198,358
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $198,358
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 63.4%

23. Reginald L. Weaver

• Title: President (Current)
• Employer: National Education Association
• Qualifications: N/A
• Annual Pension: $265,158
• Employee Contributions: $264,894
• Age at Retirement: 69
• Pension Paid to Date: $1,355,105
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $4,394,843
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 6.0%

24. Maureen L. Hager

• Title: District Superintendent
• Employer: North Shore SD 112
• Qualifications: Ed.D.
• Annual Pension: $263,741
• Employee Contributions: $277,774
• Age at Retirement: 58
• Pension Paid to Date: $1,132,953
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $9,186,752
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.0%

25. Jonathan E. Lamberson

• Title: District Superintendent
• Employer: Riverside SD 96
• Qualifications: Ed.D.
• Annual Pension: $262,516
• Employee Contributions: $370,166
• Age at Retirement: 58
• Pension Paid to Date: $218,764
• *Estimated Lifetime Pension Payout: $10,339,571
• Percentage of Lifetime Estimate Paid by Employee: 3.6%

Gaining Ground: Americans' Health Insurance Coverage and Access to Care After the Affordable Care Act's First Open Enrollment Period

 

The Commonwealth Fund is a private foundation that aims to promote a high performing health care system that achieves better access, improved quality, and greater efficiency, particularly for society's most vulnerable, including low-income people, the uninsured, minority Americans, young children, and elderly adults.

The Fund carries out this mandate by supporting independent research on health care issues and making grants to improve health care practice and policy. An international program in health policy is designed to stimulate innovative policies and practices in the United States and other industrialized countries,

Read the entire article by clicking on the following:  http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2014/jul/health-coverage-access-aca

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Enbridge Pipeline anticipates increasing capacity across Boone County

 

 

Pat Mattison’s View: Belvidere landlords don't need more unnecessary regulations

By Pat Mattison
Special to the Register Star
Posted Jul. 5, 2014 @ 4:15 pm

I would like to know and understand the reason/motivation behind this proposal. My reasons for asking is, in my experience, there are enough governmental restrictions, regulations, edicts and taxes that are becoming unbearable cost burdens.

— According to the proposal, 30 percent of all residential housing in Belvidere is rental, non-owner occupied housing.

Has the city verified that percentage? What is the exact number of non-owner occupied housing units in Belvidere?

—The City Council states that rental housing represents a disproportionate share of the residential housing that has fallen into a state of disrepair. How many rental housing units have been identified in a state of disrepair? How many recorded and verified complaints has the city received of owners with housing units in disrepair?

— Registration Required. No landlord shall rent, advertise for rent or offer for rent any unit unless they hold a current and valid registration certificate.

What are the required regulations for qualifying for a registration certificate? Is there going to be a cost for a registration certificate? And if there is a charge, what costs will be used to justify the charge? Will the charges be used to add to or expand local government staff — i.e., more government controls that increase rental operations?

Each landlord shall maintain a copy of the rental certificate for each unit and shall present it upon demand by any city employee or by any tenant of prospective tenant. Requiring a landlord to provide anything to any employee or any tenant or prospective tenant is unacceptable without notice, direction, verification of purpose to the landlord. The landlord needs to be protected as much the public.

— If any unit is not in compliance with the city of Belvidere municipal code ... and after 30 days notice of violation does not cure ... the department may revoke the registration certificate. All leases will be terminated and the unit vacated within 30 days. What prompts this type of regulation at this time? Has there been a series of non-compliance problems with the Belvidere municipal code?

— Penalties. Each day that a unit is held or operated in violation ... shall constitute a separate offense. What is the daily penalty for each separate offense?

— Any person who violates this article, shall in addition to any other lawful relief, be fined ... plus court costs and costs of prosecution ... including injunctions to prohibit rental and occupancy. What are the projected costs to the violator for this?

— Every written lease shall inform the tenant of the maximum number of inhabitants permitted. What are the limits of the city of Belvidere municipal code?

 

The tenant shall certify in writing to the landlord the name of every person that reside in the unit ... to be provided to the department on demand. The demand terminology is overpowering and creates an “us-you” atmosphere that is confrontational. Are landlords an enemy?

 

Sum and substance, this article seems to be one of local government power and control. It appears to intimidate and involve the city of Belvidere in the business of residential properties on the assumption that the majority of rental property owners have allowed housing to fall into a state of disrepair. I know of no reach-out by the city to property owners relative to the issues raised. The property owners pay substantial real estate and other taxes to the city of Belvidere, as well as many other local governments.

The point that I am making is, residential-renter property owners do not need any more unnecessary burdensome, costly, tight restrictions put upon them by the city of Belvidere. In this economy, we are all struggling to provide the best service possible, and we need local governments to work with us to provide the best housing possible.

Pat Mattison is a Boone County resident and former County Board member.

Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/article/20140705/Opinion/140709702#ixzz36grgrpY9

Growth Dimension Director Resigns

News Release---- Thursday, July 03, 2014 8:15 AM

(Belvidere, IL) – Growth Dimensions Executive Director, Kelly Galluzzo, is stepping down from her position with the organization to accept a position with WREX-NBC as an Account Executive in their Business Development/Sales & Marketing Dept. Growth Dimensions Chairman Richard Van Evera announced that Galluzzo has officially resigned.

"I thank everyone who has been involved with the Growth Dimensions organization through the years. I am truly grateful for the opportunities they provided me and the personal and professional support I’ve received from them during my tenure,” stated Galluzzo. “I will always be proud to say that I was fortunate enough to be part of the team leading Belvidere and Boone County into a prosperous future.”

"While the board is extremely supportive of Kelly’s decision to accept this opportunity we are disappointed to lose such a valuable asset to our organization,” Van Evera said. “Kelly has been an enthusiastic promoter of Belvidere-Boone County and has represented Growth Dimensions successfully in her efforts to develop relationships throughout the region while establishing a new standard of excellence for the organization and the promotion of the community.”

Galluzzo first came to Growth Dimensions in 2004 and has been part of the team leading the economic development efforts in Belvidere-Boone County for the better part of the last 10 years. Kelly was responsible for providing economic development leadership for Belvidere and Boone County in the areas of business attraction, expansion, retention, enterprise zone administration, workforce development, economic development strategic initiatives and special projects.

Galluzzo was engaged in numerous boards and committees in the region including:

• Belvidere Chamber Board
• I-39 Logistics Corridor Association
• Northern Illinois Workforce Alliance Board
• Rockford Area Economic Development Council Board and Business Attraction Committee
• University of Illinois Extension Council Board

The Board of Directors at Growth Dimensions is currently interviewing candidates to fill Galluzzo’s position. Her last day with the organization is July 17th.

"The Growth Dimension board is very engaged in the work of economic development in Belvidere-Boone County and we look forward to continuing to aggressively pursue our goals for the area,” Van Evera concluded.