25% Pay Cut For Ex-City Manager Erika Storlie In East Dundee

EAST DUNDEE, IL — Former Evanston City Manager Erika Storlie was sworn in Monday as the new village administrator of East Dundee.

"I am wildly impressed with East Dundee," Storlie told the village board. "I am really enthusiastic about being part of this wonderful team."

Storlie resigned from her position in Evanston in October after more than 16 years working for the city — two of which were spent as its top executive — amid an investigation into the city's handling of allegations of sexual harassment and abuse of female lifeguards and other lakefront employees in the parks department.

"I'm looking forward to getting to know the residents here, looking forward to getting to know the board and the president and helping you achieve your vision for the community," Storlie told the East Dundee trustees Monday.

According to employment agreements, Storlie will take a significantly lower salary from the Kane County village of 3,300 people than she received from the city of Evanston, which has more than 78,000 residents.

Including benefits, Storlie had been due to receive more than $291,000 in total earnings from Evanston, according to city records. Her compensation package from the city included a base salary of $225,000, plus an additional $18,000-a-year in deferred compensation, $3,750 in automobile stipends and other benefits.

In East Dundee, Storlie's base salary of $170,000 is about 25 percent lower than it was in Evanston. And since her contract calls for no deferred compensation, her total compensation will be reduced by more than 30 percent.

Related:
Severance Approved, City Manager Erika Storlie To Resign Oct. 8
Confidentiality Clause Changed In Negotiated Resignation Deal
Harassment Petition Not Shared By Staff, Evanston Mayor Says
Staff Warned Of Rampant Sexual Harassment At Evanston Lakefront

Under the terms of a negotiated separation agreement that led to Storlie's Oct. 6 resignation from Evanston, she received a lump sum of more than $93,000 and was due to remain covered by the city's health insurance provider until Dec. 31.

The agreement also called for Storlie to "reasonably cooperate" with the independent investigation into the handling of allegations of misconduct among lakefront staff and any pending or future litigation arising from her time as city manager.

Like Storlie, East Dundee's former municipal chief executive resigned amid controversy.

According to past reports, Village President Jeff Lynam terminated former Village Administrator Jennifer Johnsen in June after learning that she was romantically involved with a subordinate, Assistant Village Administrator Brad Mitchell. Johnsen was later reinstated by the village board before being replaced by Storlie.

Storlie's first day on the job in East Dundee is scheduled for Monday.