The Journal Star is compiling lists of the highest-paid employees in local municipalities participating in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.
Such municipalities are required by state law to publicly post a list of employees making more than $75,000 per year.
Here is a look at the highest-paid employees in Chillicothe for 2026-2027, according to records provided to the Journal Star. Most employees listed are officers for the Chillicothe Police Department.
1. Jeremy Cooper
With a bi-weekly rate of $3,868.85 – or around $48.36 per hour – Cooper earns an annual salary of $100,590.10 in his role as police chief.
2. Pat Donovan
With a rate of $41.15 per hour, police officer Donovan earns $85,592.00 per year.
3. Shawn Sutherland
Chillicothe’s streets and water/sewer systems are maintained by the city’s Public Works Department. As the superintendent of public works, Sutherland earns $84,648.72 annually.
4. Denise Passage
In her role as office manager, Passage supervises office personnel and oversees the preparation of city budgets, payroll, utility billing and more. Her annual pay comes to $84,409.00.
5. Doug Hahn
An officer with the Chillicothe Police Department, Hahn earns $83,990.40 annually, placing his hourly rate at $40.38.
6. Rob Purcell
Purcell earns an hourly rate of $40.38 per hour as an officer for the city’s police department. This adds up to $83,990.40 per year.
7. Nick Bridges
Chillicothe Police Department officer Bridges earns an hourly rate of $38.46 for an annual total of $79,996.80.
8. Jeremy DeVault
An officer for Chillicothe’s police department, DeVault earns $79,996.80 annually with an hourly rate of $38.46.
9. Kellie Hesterberg
Hesterberg works as an officer for the Chillicothe Police Department, earning $37.45 per hour or $77,896.00 per year.
10. Dave Buchanan
As a police officer for the Chillicothe Police Department, Buchanan earns $36.47 per hour for a total of $75,857.60 per year.
11. Keith Burwell
Burwell earns $75,857.60 annually as a police officer for the city, with an hourly rate of $36.47.
12. Jared Farrance
Chillicothe Police Department officer Farrance earns an hourly rate of $36.47 for an annual total of $75,857.60.
13. Cory Koser
Working as an officer for the Chillicothe Police Department, Koser earns $36.47 per hour. That adds up to $75,857.60 annually.
14. Dustina Stevens
Stevens – an officer with the Chillicothe Police Department – earns $75,857.60 each year, with an hourly rate of $36.47.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Who are the highest-paid employees in Chillicothe? See the list
Reporting by Cassidy Waigand, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
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