10 of the highest paid government officials
A career FBI agent, he headed the bureau's Philadelphia field office when recruited by Mayor Daley late last year to shake up Chicago's scandal-scarred Police Department. Was assistant special agent in charge of the Chicago FBI office from 2000 to 2003, then moved to Washington to work in the FBI's internal affairs division. Called "J-Fed" by the rank and file.
$241,559, former president of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
She retired in June 2007 after having served as the school's founding president since 1986. Her base salary was $188,680, but the higher pay-out included accumulated unused sick days and vacation time.
$221,405, executive director of the state Teachers' Retirement System, an independent state agency where he oversees pension fund investments worth $40.3 billion.
$206,350, executive director of the Illinois State Board of Investment
He has held the post since 2003. Before that, he was an executive for a St. Louis-based money management firm, Investment Counselors Inc., and then president of Midwest Managed Money Services, a registered investment adviser.
$201,008, a registered nurse at Howe Developmental Center in Tinley Park
She has been with the Illinois Department of Human Services since 1988. Her base $63,684 pay more than tripled last year due to night differential and overtime. "Loreatha is known as an excellent, dedicated employee who often gives up her own personal time so that other nurses aren't mandated to work the extra hours needed," said DHS spokeswoman Marielle Sainvilus.
$191,100, executive director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education
On the job since 2005, Erwin is a former House member, representing Chicago's Gold Coast from 1992 to 2003.
$190,764, former Chicago aviation commissioner
A civil engineer, Fernandez had worked for the Federal Transit Administration, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the CTA. Named aviation commissioner two years ago after managing design and construction of land-side projects during the last major expansion of O'Hare. She resigned in April after multiple high-profile security issues at O'Hare.
$189,360, director of Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communication
Spent nearly three decades in the Fire Department, rising through the ranks to commissioner, named to OEMC position last month, getting a $4,000-a-year salary bump.
$181,866, chief of staff, Cook County office of the president
Was Todd Stroger's boss when they both worked at the Chicago Park District. He went on to manage the Park District pension fund. In 2007, Stroger hired Fratto to be the county comptroller, a position he held until taking the chief of staff job earlier this year.
$175,701, Cook County chief financial officer
County Board President Todd Stroger's first cousin is overseer of the county's $3 billion budget. Stroger defended her appointment, saying she's the best qualified person "in all of Cook County, in all of Illinois, in all of the country" for that job. Plus, Stroger trusts Dunnings to look out for his best interests. Political insiders say Dunnings has so much influence with Stroger that she "runs the show."
$172,719, special assistant, Cook County office of the president
She is the daughter of former county Commissioner Ted Lechowicz and a former appellate prosecutor. As Stroger's legal counsel, Lechowicz-Felicione is credited with drafting a confidentiality agreement forcing anyone who works under Stroger to promise they won't disclose anything he deems confidential that they "learned, disclosed or observed" on the job.
Art Golab, Dave McKinney, Mark Konkol