In Woodford County, most of the highest-paid employees work in the criminal justice system, with the exception of a county engineer.
Supervising infrastructure projects and overseeing efforts to keep citizens safe, these workers are among those with the largest paychecks in the county in 2026.
Illinois statute requires city governments to publicly post a list of employees earning more than $75,000 in total compensation each year. The Journal Star reviews these reports and shares them with readers for transparency and knowledge of how taxpayer money is allocated and spent.
Woodford County’s annual compensation report for 2026 details how much county employees receive, divided among base salaries, health insurance, retirement funds, life insurance, clothing allowance, vacation days and sick days. While salaries and retirement funds were listed alongside all employees, some do not receive health insurance, life insurance or clothing allotments.
Here is a look at the 10 Woodford County employees with the highest salaries for 2026, all earning more than $100,000 according to the 2025-26 compensation report.
1. Erik Gibson
Gibson, the county’s state’s attorney, earns a salary of $219,326.
2. Andrew Lankton
Lankton, a public defender, is listed with the second-highest salary at $197,394.
3. Matthew Smith
Smith, the county sheriff, earns a salary of $175,461.
4. Conrad Moore
Moore is the Woodford County engineer and makes a salary of $144,932.
5. Matt Miller
Miller, the assistant state’s attorney, earns $120,203.
6. Dennis Tipsword
Tipsword, chief deputy sheriff, earns a salary of $110,815.
7. Albert Holocker
Holocker serves as Woodford County’s jail superintendent and earns a salary of $107,588.
8. Marc Wright
Wright, operations captain for the sheriff’s office, has a salary of $107,588.
9. Marshall Smith
As a patrol lieutenant, Smith earns a salary of $105,478.
10. Mike Ealey
As a deputy sheriff, Ealey has a salary of $102,679.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Which Woodford County employees are paid the most in 2026?
Reporting by Josh Jenke, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
