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WNIJ's summary of news items around our state.

Report: 1 in 10 Illinois State Employees Earned Six Figures

State of Illinois

One in every 10 Illinois state employees earned more than $100,000 in 2014. That’s according to a published report. 

The employees included judges, prison guards and nurses. The Chicago Sun-Times cites public records, saying 682 workers made more than former Gov. Pat Quinn's six-figure salary.

More than 100 workers doubled their base pay by working overtime or through compensatory time, including more than a dozen workers who got at least $80,000 each in additional pay.

Nearly $5 billion of taxpayer money was given to most full time, part time and contract workers on the state's payroll. Among the highest paid was the state Teachers Retirement System's chief investment officer, who earned nearly half a million dollars.

A TRS spokesman defended the salary, saying the job requires highly specialized skills.