In an effort to provide public transparency on public employee salaries the Journal Star has been publishing lists of the highest paid city and county employees in the Peoria area.
Illinois statute requires municipalities that participate in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund to publicly post a list of all employees making more than $75,000 in total compensation.
Below are the 12 highest compensated employees in Peoria County.
1. Amanda Youmans
Youmans was hired to be a forensic pathologist working in the Peoria County Coroner’s office. She receives a base salary of $401,000 and a total compensation package of $426,500.00. Youmans’ salary, however, is actually cost neutral for Peoria County, as 12 other counties that use her services reimburse Peoria County.
2. Scott Sorrel
Sorrel is the Peoria County administrator. His base salary is $198,066.00, and his total compensation is $269,312.20.
3. Kevin Penrhyn-Lowe
Penryhn-Lowe is the chief public defender for Peoria County. He receives a base salary of $208,360.00 and a total compensation of $267,910.82. He has been in the role since 2023.
4. Jodi Hoos
Jodi Hoos is the state’s attorney for Peoria County. It is an elected position. Hoos receives a base salary of $219,326.00 and a total compensation of $241,182.00. Hoos has been state’s attorney since 2019. She won another term in office in 2024.
5. David Gast
Gast is the first assistant state’s attorney working in Hoos’ office. His base salary is $157,500.00 and his total compensation is $219,739.52.
6. Heather McCord
McCord is the chief financial officer for Peoria County. Her base salary is $156,729.00 and her total compensation is $219,665.54.
7. Mark Little
Little is the chief information officer for Peoria County. His base salary is $162,066.60 and his total compensation is $216,870.34.
8. Deborah Shelby
Shelby is an assistant prosecutor working in Hoos’ office. She is the lead attorney for prosecuting felony cases. Her base salary is $147,000.00 and her total compensation is $215,978.17.
9. James Middlemas
Middlemas is the chief deputy in the Peoria County Sheriff’s Department. His base salary is $152,799.00 and his total compensation is $214,276.61.
10. Chris Watkins
Watkins is the sheriff of Peoria County, an elected position. His salary is $175,461.00 and his total compensation is $212,315.20.
11. Blaine Duhs
Duhs is a deputy with the Peoria County Sheriff’s Department. His base salary is $116,830.00 and his total compensation is $208,139.89.
12. Amy McLaren
McLaren is a highway engineer for Peoria County. Her base salary is $158,400.00 and her total compensation is $205,983.17.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Who are the highest paid employees in Peoria County for 2026?
Reporting by JJ Bullock, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
