15 Highest Paid Superintendents In Illinois

Getting to the level of superintendents in any field or career is everyone’s dream.

One of the most compelling reasons, in many people’s opinions, to consider running for the position of superintendent is the possibility of serving as a leader and ensuring the safety of the most important assets in the community, namely the children and the future of the community.

The leadership of the superintendent is the most effective way to safeguard the educational interests of children and young people.

Illinois is a state with many high-paid superintendents, several around 872 superintendents, and an average salary of $82,482 from different sectors, fields, and institutions.

This article will mention 15 of the highest-paid superintendents in Illinois and their salaries. You can find everything you need to know about them here.

Steps To Becoming A Superintendent

Even if you don’t currently have all the credentials to oversee a district, obtaining those credentials is a rather simple process. Expect to go through these major stages, although the process may seem slightly different for each individual.

#1. Gain Valuable Experience

If you want to take on more responsibility in the future, prepare yourself by learning new skills. Spend some time interacting with other individuals.

Discover what motivates and frustrates them. This is the best time to get to know the people who will ultimately be affected by your actions because you will spend a lot of time traveling as a superintendent.

#2. Obtain a Doctoral Degree

Getting a doctorate is no easy feat. For whatever concentrations you’re interested in, it’s critical to select a Ph.D. school that provides enough support for its doctoral students.

#3. Pass any necessary exams and gain superintendent licensure

To work as a superintendent, your state’s requirements may differ, but you will almost certainly have to pass a test. An expert like yourself will have no trouble with this. To succeed, you’ll need to become familiar with the exam’s format.

#4. Apply for the position and secure an appointment as a superintendent

Most superintendents are appointed by their district, with only a handful elected. The board’s priority is to find someone who shares their vision of success in this role, therefore they’re on the lookout.

To become a school superintendent, one is often required to sign a contract outlining one’s obligations and compensation. The board can negotiate the terms of this contract, so it’s critical to know everything about it before you bring it up. Between two and four years is the typical length of a contract, but it is possible to prolong it.

A superintendent’s job is highly sought after because each district only has one. As an administrator, having a Ph.D. degree and state certification are excellent ways to increase your chances of this position.

#5. Start leading your district

Becoming a superintendent is a long and winding route, but it is well worth the effort. In addition to selecting principals, going to different schools, and managing the district’s budget, you can take on larger projects that aim to improve education in the community.

Qualities Of the Highest Paid Superintendents in Illinois

Visionary, multi-skilled, communicative, ambitious, and committed are some of the most important qualities for a school administrator. This nation’s future is being shaped by a smiling school district CEO.

#1. Visionary

Practical idealism is the most important attribute of a superintendent. An intellectual vision and a plan to attain it are necessary for this. It is the superintendent, with consultation from the board, who sets the bar for the entire organization.

He regularly assesses the organization’s curriculum and the performance of its staff to ensure that it is up to date and in line with his vision, and he makes modifications as needed to guarantee that it remains so.

#2. Multi-Skilled

A superintendent is a multifaceted individual. Principals, administrative employees, and the district’s top financial officer are all employed by him as the district’s hiring official.

He avoids crises and emergencies by thinking strategically. As a skilled negotiator and mediator, a good superintendent is an asset to any organization. In addition, he is sensitive to his parents’ concerns.

#3. Communicative

A good superintendent is a good listener as well as a good speaker. During meetings, he pays close attention to what others have to say and shows a genuine interest in what they have to say. He has excellent mastery of the English language and can communicate his ideas succinctly.

The superintendent maintains a level of discretion and respect when advising school administrators and teachers. While in the public spotlight, he maintains his composure, whether presiding over school functions, conferences, or media briefings. Before uttering a word, he carefully considers how it will be received by the audience.

The superintendent’s job is to keep the district’s reputation in good standing. His written and oral presentations are both polished to a high degree. He maintains strong working connections by creating trust. In addition, he develops a good working relationship with community organizations.

#4. Ambitious

A desire to assist subordinates to realize their full potential is also a key characteristic of a good superintendent. A vivacious superintendent gets a kick out of inspiring his or her staff. Security is a top priority for the superintendent. Maintaining safe, clean, comfortable, and well-maintained facilities is a priority for him.

Students learn empathy and respect for others from the top superintendents who encourage teachers to be helpful and compassionate towards them.

#5. Committed

Superintendents must have a strong sense of commitment. CEOs are often called upon to make difficult decisions. A steadfast supervisor can’t stray from making the right decision. When confronted with adversity, he remains unfazed. Dedicated CEOs don’t mind working on multiple projects at the same time, as long as they get the job done. He honors his commitments because he has a strong sense of accountability.

He improves operations by being open and honest, and he always aims for perfection. As a shining example of morality and ethics, he is a beacon for the rest of the community.

The 15 Highest Paid Superintendents in Illinois

#1. David O. Brown.

One of the highest-paid superintendents in Illinois, David O. Brown, comes in at number one with a salary of $260,004.

As a member of the Chicago Police Department, David O’Neal Brown was born on September 18, 1960, and currently serves as Superintendent. From 2010 until 2016, he served as the top cop of the Dallas Police Department. For his attempts to reduce violence between police and citizens, he has received international acclaim.

#2. Carmen Ayala

It’s also worth noting that Carmen Ayala is among the highest-paid superintendents in Illinois. A yearly salary of $256,600 is her reward for her work as superintendent of state schools.

As the 30th State Superintendent of Education, Carmen Ayala is the first woman and the first person of color to hold this position for an extended period. Her previous position was superintendent of Berwyn North School District 98, where she steadily improved low-performing schools, before her appointment to the Illinois State Board of Education.

Ayala has worked in a variety of positions during her 36-year career in education. Before coming to Berwyn, she served as the district’s associate superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction in Plainfield District 202. While working at Community Consolidated School District 300, Ayala worked as director of School Improvement and Program Development. On top of these positions, she was also a teacher at Aurora East School District 131. A teacher in the Chicago Public Schools, she began her profession.

Mundelein College awarded her a bachelor’s degree in bilingual education and Spanish literature. Afterward, she received an MBA from Dominican University and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from Loyola University Chicago, where she also studied for her doctorate.

#3. Omer Osma

With a salary of $209,900, Omer Osma is amongst the highest-paid superintendents in Illinois.

In 2019, Governor JB Pritzker appointed Omer Osman as Secretary of Transportation. His three decades of experience in engineering and administration at the Illinois Department of Transportation, most recently as deputy secretary, reflect his new position as secretary.

It was in 1989 that Osman joined IDIOT as a civil engineer. Starting at the district level and then going up to executive management, as he gained expertise, he was able to take on more complex leadership tasks. IDOT’s operations and breadth, financial difficulties and opportunities, as well as the need for strategic maintenance and infrastructure growth to promote economic development and travel for Illinois people, are all things he has gained during his time in the department’s ranks.

#4. Grace Hou

Hou is one of the highest-paid superintendents in Illinois, earning $180,000 a year as the Secretary of the Illinois Department for Human Services (IDHS).

Sec. Grace B. Hou has been with Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration as IDHS Secretary since March 2019.

An integrated network of mental health, drug abuse prevention, and recovery, rehabilitation, developmental disabilities, and family-and-community services is central to DHS’s mission to strengthen Illinois.

For the treatment of mental illness, the IDHS runs a total of seven psychiatric hospitals, seven developmental centers, and one treatment facility for sexually aggressive individuals.

#5. Jennifer Ricker

There is a $180,000 yearly salary for Jennifer Ricker, the Acting Secretary and CIO of the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT). This qualifies her to be on our list of the highest-paid superintendents in Illinois.

When it comes to implementing an innovative, resilient, and secure technological environment for the state, Ricker is in charge of leading the charge.

Former DoIT positions include Assistant Secretary for Application Development and Technology Delivery to DoIT’s client agencies, as well as Chief of Staff, in which she was responsible for overseeing and managing all operational aspects of the agency.

Ricker has made a career out of public service, serving Illinois in a variety of capacities for more than two decades.

She developed a passion for politics and government while growing up in the state’s capital, which led to her first job as a Legislative Analyst in the Illinois House of Representatives. Since then, she has worked her way up the ranks of the executive branch.

Ricker is a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security (Monterey, CA) with a master’s degree in security studies and a bachelor’s degree in history (Columbia, MO).

#6. Marc D. Smith

An annual Salary of $180,000 is paid to Marc D. Smith, the acting director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). He is among the highest-paid superintendents in Illinois.

The Illinois Senate confirmed Smith as director of the state’s Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) on June 15, 2021, after Governor JB Pritzker appointed him to the position on April 15, 2019. Aunt Martha’s Health & Wellness, Illinois’ leading supplier of assistance to families in need, had employed Smith since 2009 as its executive vice president, overseeing foster care and intact services.

During his time in the position, he worked with child welfare officials, professionals, and other stakeholders to promote family-centered approaches that protected and supported vulnerable children and families.

#7. Rob Jeffrey

The director of the Illinois Department of Corrections is Rob Jeffreys. $180,000 a year makes him one of the highest-paid superintendents in Illinois

With almost two decades of expertise in corrections, Jeffreys has gained national renown as a criminal justice specialist. He worked for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections for 21 of his 24 years in the field of corrections management.

Right now Jeffreys is in charge of the agency’s Information Technology and Strategic Initiatives bureaus, as well as the Office of Human Resources, which services more than 12,000 employees.

A former Regional Director for ODRC, he was responsible for 20 counties’ worth of operations, 25,000 inmates, and 3,700 employees while overseeing a $340 million annual budget. This included eight adult prisons and the Adult Parole Authority.

To keep an eye on demographic trends, research, and data analysis variables for the ODRC’s Bureau Chief of Classification and Reception, Jeffreys served.

#8. Dr. Ngozi Ezike

Illinois’s Director of Public Health, Dr. Ngozi Ezike is among the highest-paid superintendents in Illinois, bringing in an annual salary of $178,000. There has never before been a black woman in charge of a state agency that dates back 143 years.

An internist and paediatrician, Dr. Ezike served Cook County Health (CCH), the county’s hospital and healthcare system, for more than 15 years as a board-certified internist and paediatrician. Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center’s medical director.

Her previous position as medical director of Austin Health Center saw Dr. Ezike working closely with the community on a wide range of health programs. As well to inpatient care at Stroger Hospital, she has also worked in community and school-based clinics, providing primary and preventive health care to children and adults.

#9. Dana Popish Severinghaus

Director Dana Popish Severinghaus has been in her current position since January 2021. She is paid $159,600 a year in salary making her one of the highest-paid superintendents in Illinois.

With a background in law, policy, government relations, and the insurance sector, she is uniquely qualified to lead a state agency.

At Allstate, Popish Severinghaus served as a legislative and regulatory counsel, providing legal, regulatory, and legislative advice to Allstate and its subsidiaries in the Midwest.

With Central Management Services, she served as a Senior Policy Advisor for the Bureau of Benefits before moving to the Office of Management and Budget. Popish Severinghaus had previously worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois as the Director of Government Relations before that.

#10. Jerry Castillo

The Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Jerry F. Costello II, is a man of honor. At $156,942, he’s one of the highest-paid Superintendents in Illinois.

Jerry’s life has always been intertwined with farming. His family’s multi-generational farm in southern Illinois is where Jerry was raised and where he spent most of his childhood vacationing and working. His family property is just a short drive away from Jerry and Lori’s current home in Smithton. He keeps 35 cows for beef.

Jerry enlisted in the Army after completing his undergraduate studies at Southern Illinois University and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. As a soldier of the first Gulf War, he has a unique perspective on the conflict.

For the next seven years, he would represent Illinois’s 116th House district in Springfield as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives.

From 2015 to 2019, he served as Chairman of the Agriculture and Conservation Committee, having previously served as Vice Chairman from 2013 to 2014.

#11. Jane R. Flanagan

Currently serving in an acting capacity, Jane Flanagan is the Illinois Department of Labor’s Director. In February 2022, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker appointed her to run the State’s principal labor enforcement agency. She is one of the state’s highest-paid superintendents in Illinois, earning $146,400 per year.

While at the Illinois Governor’s Office, Jane served as Deputy General Counsel and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer and oversaw a wide range of state agencies regarding labour standards enforcement, worker training, and safety net programs.

Jane founded the Workplace Rights Bureau at the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and served as its Chief.

As a result of her efforts, the Office was able to bring attention to the widespread use of non-compete agreements in the restaurant sector, negotiate four federal consent decrees, and lead various state legislative amendments regarding labor trafficking.

As a law student, Jane worked for the firm Brown, Goldstein & Levy, where she represented workers in FLSA, civil rights, and contract lawsuits. And she’s been an assistant to the state labor commissioner before that.

#12. Major General Rich Neely

Neely has served as the Adjutant General of Illinois since 2012, as well as Director of Illinois’s Military Affairs Division since 2013. $137,100 per year is the annual salary, making him one of the highest-paid superintendents in Illinois.

On this list, he is one of the highest-paid superintendents in the state of Illinois.

As Commander of the Illinois Army and Air National Guards, General Neely is in charge of the day-to-day activities of 13,000 military personnel, 2,200 full-time military/federal employees, and 230 civilian employees of the state government of Illinois.

#13. David Harris

In his current position as Superintendent of the Illinois Department of Revenue, David C. Harris is an American politician and retired military officer from Illinois. The Illinois House of Representatives elected him as a Republican in 1983–1993 and reelected him in 2011–2019, and he served as Adjutant General of Illinois from 1999–2003.

#14. Colleen Callahan Burns

Superintendent of Illinois Natural Resources Colleen Burns is an agribusiness news reporter. In 2008, she was the Democratic candidate for the 18th Congressional District of Illinois.

She moved to Peoria in 1973 to work for WMBD (AM) after graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She worked there until 2005. From 1974 to 1997, she worked as an agribusiness reporter for WMBD-TV and WCIA.

She has served on the boards of several local organizations:

At the Peoria YWCA, the Nature Conservancy Great Rivers Regional Board, Youth for a Cause, The Children’s Home in Peoria, and Morton Community Bank.

She is also a member of the National Association of Women Business Owners and the Public Relations Committee for the Women’s Health Services at St. Francis Medical Center. NAFB has had a long-standing relationship with her, and she served as the organization’s first female president, as well as its ethics committee chair.

#15. Terry Prince

Terry Prince was named Superintendent of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs on April 1, 2021, by Governor JB Pritzker and confirmed by the Senate Executive Appointment Committee on March 28, 2022.

Director Prince previously served as the Superintendent of the Ohio Veterans Homes. In this capacity, he oversaw 850 personnel who provided skilled nursing and domiciliary care to 801 veterans at three separate locations, including the country’s fifth biggest Veterans home. At the end of this duty, he received the department’s first Major General Manning Force Award, recognizing his meritorious service in a position of high responsibility.

Conclusion

Judging from their salaries, their prestigious responsibilities and the level of respect accorded to them, the superintendent is a position everyone should try to reach in their given field and career. From the top to the bottom of this list; It can be seen that superintendents earn well. I hope this comprehensive list helps in your decision-making.

Frequently Asked Questions On 15 Highest Paid Superintendents in Illinois

Who is the highest paid school superintendent in Illinois?

Carmine is the highest-paid superintendent in the state at $398,229.81

How many superintendents are there in Illinois?

The number of superintendents in Illinois is about 872.

Who is the Illinois State Superintendent of Education?

Ayala, the first woman and first person of color to hold the position of a permanent superintendent, was named by the Illinois State Board of Education in the wake of JB Pritzker’s appointment.

How much do regional superintendents make in Illinois?

Chicago, IL superintendents make an average of $87,437 per year plus $8,000 in profit sharing. A total of 70 salaries have been reported as of July 14, 2022, with the most recent update occurring on that date.

15 Highest Paid Superintendents In Illinois | 2022