Michael P. Kelly, general superintendent and CEO of Chicago Parks District | Chicago Parks District/YouTube
Michael P. Kelly, general superintendent and CEO of Chicago Parks District | Chicago Parks District/YouTube
Most of Chicago’s parks have been officially closed for 11 months.
But the Chicago Park District still gave 24 top executives and managers raises this year averaging 6%, according to its annual budget appropriations report detailing how it will spend $482 million in taxpayer dollars this year.
All told, the 24 executives will earn a collective $3.27 million in 2021, $186,841 more than the $3.082 million they earned in 2020, according to a Chicago City Wire analysis of budget data.
Pat Callahan
Patrick Callahan, the parks’ director of Information Technology, received the largest raise--18%, or $21,305, from $120,895 to $142,200.
Callahan, 33, of Lincoln Park, made $106,560 in 2017,according to public records. He joined the parks in 2012 as a “special projects facilitator” after working as a planning assistant for the Wheaton Park District.
Deputy Director of Human Resources Laurie C. Kirshenbaum, 67, of West Ridge, received the second-largest percentage raise--8%, or $9,812, to $121,400 from $112,218. She joined the park district in 1996. Her husband, Marvin, isa mechanical engineerwho worked 30 years for the prestigious Argonne National Laboratory.
Chicago Park District Chief Operating Officer Patrick J. Levar, Jr., 44, of North Edgebrook, received an $11,050 raise (6%), from $183,950 to $195,000. He joined the parks in 2004 as deputy director of facilities management after working three years at the City of Chicago as a project manager.
Levar’s father, Patrick, formerly served as 45th Ward alderman, retiring in 2010. Three of his four children work for city government, including Patrick, Jr.; his daughter, Michelle, who is deputy director of license administration for the city clerk, earning $84,972; and his daughter Julie, who serves as Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s deputy director of scheduling, earning $70,404.
Last March 26, Lightfoot closed all city parks and beaches as well as the 606 trail and Riverwalk.
When asked why the city’s 600 playgrounds are still closed, Chicago Parks CEO Michael P. Kelly, who received a 4% raise, or $7,997, from $222,003 to $230,000, said it would be too hard to keep them clean.
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Top Chicago Park District executive salary increases, 2021 versus 2020
| Name | Title | 2020 Salary | 2021 Salary | CHG | % |
| Patrick Callahan | DIR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY | $120,895 | $142,200 | $ 21,305 | 18% |
| Laurie Kirshenbaum | DEP DIR OF HUMAN RESOURCES | $112,218 | $121,400 | $ 9,182 | 8% |
| Adrian Loza | HEALTH & PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES MANAGER | $85,986 | $91,800 | $ 5,814 | 7% |
| Patrick J. Levar | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | $183,950 | $195,000 | $ 11,050 | 6% |
| Alonzo Williams | CHIEF PROGRAMMING OFFICER | $183,950 | $195,000 | $ 11,050 | 6% |
| Tiffany Sanders Sostrin | DIR OF LEGISLATIVE/COMMUNITY AFFAIRS | $122,691 | $130,000 | $ 7,309 | 6% |
| Deborah A. Winters | PAYROLL MANAGER | $84,327 | $89,246 | $ 4,919 | 6% |
| Kantrice M. Ogletree | SECRETARY TO BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS | $74,299 | $78,633 | $ 4,334 | 6% |
| Daniel E. Cooper | DIR OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES | $114,455 | $121,131 | $ 6,676 | 6% |
| Anita Boyd | PARK OPERATIONS MANAGER | $102,439 | $108,414 | $ 5,975 | 6% |
| Arthur Richardson | REGION MANAGER | $131,122 | $138,770 | $ 7,648 | 6% |
| Linda Daly | DEP DIR OF CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION | $125,208 | $132,511 | $ 7,303 | 6% |
| Michael J. Dimitroff | DIR OF LAKEFRONT OPERATIONS | $100,384 | $106,239 | $ 5,855 | 6% |
| Mark Reed | DIR OF PURCHASES | $118,507 | $125,419 | $ 6,912 | 6% |
| Beth Meier Tomlins | DEP CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | $130,063 | $137,649 | $ 7,586 | 6% |
| Timothy O'Connell | DEP CHIEF PROGRAMMING OFFICER | $130,063 | $137,649 | $ 7,586 | 6% |
| Michelle Sullivan | EXECUTIVE SECRETARY TO GEN SUPERINTENDENT | $79,247 | $83,869 | $ 4,622 | 6% |
| Robert Arlow | DIR OF FACILITY MANAGEMENT | $127,285 | $134,708 | $ 7,423 | 6% |
| Joseph Vetrano | DIR OF OPERATIONS | $130,192 | $137,768 | $ 7,576 | 6% |
| Heather Gleason | DIR OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT | $130,290 | $136,821 | $ 6,531 | 5% |
| Timothy M. King | GENERAL COUNSEL | $180,962 | $190,000 | $ 9,038 | 5% |
| Kelly Sheetz | DIR OF NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT | $123,846 | $129,847 | $ 6,001 | 5% |
| Juliet Azimi | CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER | $167,851 | $175,000 | $ 7,149 | 4% |
| Michael P. Kelly | GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT & CEO | $222,003 | $230,000 | $ 7,997 | 4% |
| TOTAL | $3,082,233 | $3,269,074 | $ 186,841 | 6% |
Source: Chicago Park District
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