Oak Lawn Releases 2013 Employee Salaries and Benefits

After a tough year of staff layoffs and budget slashing, the Village of Oak Lawn has released employee salaries for 2013, which is posted on the village’s website.

The new salary data includes gross wages (before taxes), major medical, Medicare, social security and pension benefits, all paid for by the taxpayers of Oak Lawn.

See the attached pdf for the complete 2013 village salary list.

Oak Lawn’s top wage earner in 2013 was firefighter Walter F. O’Neil II, who earned $216,941 -- $240,165 including benefits. A total of nine firefighters out earned their boss, fire chief Geoge Sheets, who made $120,760 last year, $164,680 with benefits.

Emergency telecommunicator Laura Skala maintained the No. 2 spot for the second year running, earning $170,899 in 2013; $213,321 if you throw in benefits.

Village Manager Larry Deetjen got a bump in pay over 2012 (154,732), earning $158,380 in 2013, $201,405 with benefits, plus the use of a village-owned Crown Vic.

Sixty-four fire department employees and 38 village police officers, including former police chief Bill Villanova who retired last April, earned more than $100,000 last year.

The salary list also includes the part-time mayor and trustees from the old and new administration.

Village Clerk Jane Quinlan’s salary in 2013 -- the only full-time elected official -- held steady from the year before at $59,644; $71,712 including benefits.

It’s all about transparency, folks.

Here are Oak Lawn’s Top Ten Wage Earners for 2013. Amounts in parentheses indicate benefits:

• Walter F. O’Neil II, firefighter - $216,941 ($240,165)

• Laura Skala, emergency telecommunicator (911)  - $170,899 ($213.321

• Larry Deetjen, village manager - $158,380 ($201,405)

2013 Salaries for Oak Lawn's Part-Time Elected Officials:

• Dave Heilmann, village president/liquor commissioner, Jan.-May 2013 - $18,019 ($21,667)

• Sandra L. Bury, village president, May-Dec. 2013 - $24,615 ($30,259)