Joliet Park District Has Never Paid Its Director This Kind Of Money: Patch Reveals Contract Details

JOLIET, IL —After spending the past 10 months getting acclimated with Joliet, Sean Caddigan takes over the top leadership position at the Joliet Park District's Inwood Athletic Club headquarters in just over two months. Brad Staab is stepping down as the executive director and retiring.

Because the Joliet Park District is funded by the taxpayers of Joliet, Joliet Patch reached out to the park district earlier this week because of the leadership change seeking access to the compensation and future compensation for the executive director.

The following are the key details you'll want to know:

Caddigan is getting a multi-year contract

The Joliet Park Board, in a 5-0 vote, agreed at Monday's meeting to award Caddigan a three-year employment contract, good for calendar years 2027, 2028 and 2029. Caddigan takes over as Joliet Park District executive director on New Year's Day.

Base Compensation

After making a salary of $135,000 this year as deputy director, Caddigan is getting a $45,000 base salary increase. His new annual base salary will be $180,000 — which is $15,000 more than what Staab has been making. Staab, in comparison, is making $165,000 this year, according to the Joliet Park District. While many people in the private sector often go a year or multiple years without a pay raise, Caddigan's three-year contract guarantees that he will be given a pay raise of at least 2 percent every single year. A 2 percent raise for someone making $180,000 amounts to an annual salary hike of $3,600.

"For each subsequent year contract year of this agreement, the director will receive an annual salary in the amount to be determined by the board which will be not less than a 2 percent increase over the preceding contract year," his contract reads.

Vehicle Allowance Boosts Caddigan's Pay

While Caddigan's base salary will start at $180,000 come January, he's actually going to make at least $189,000 in 2027.

His contract calls for a vehicle allowance of $750 per month "in lieu of any other expense reimbursement related to the director's use of his personal vehicle for district business." The contract indicates Caddigan is responsible for the purchase, maintenance, repair and regular replacement of any auto he uses for park district business.

At $750 per month, the vehicle allowance adds another $9,000 per year to his pay. As deputy director, Caddigan did not receive any type of vehicle allowance this past year; Staab, on the other hand, as director, received the $750 per month vehicle allowance.

Cell phone allowance

The contract indicates Caddigan will also be paid an unspecified monthly stipend for cell phone expenses, and the Joliet Park District will furnish him with a laptop computer.

Use Of Facilities And Programs

While employed as park district director, Caddigan along with his spouse and their children "shall be permitted to use and participate in Joliet Park District facilities, programs and services at no cost to director, subject to and in accordance with all other district policies."

Vacation, Sick Time Allotment

Although Caddigan has worked for Joliet less than a full year, his contract provides him with five full weeks, 25 days, of paid vacation per year. Carryover vacation time will be capped at 10 days annually, his contract states. Caddigan will also be allowed to sell back to the Joliet Park District up to five unused vacation days at the end of the year. "Vacation time earned but not taken which is in excess of the 10-day carryover limitation and the five-day sellback option shall not be allowed to carry over and at the end of the year in which said excess vacation days were earned, shall be lost."

As for sick time, Caddigan will be granted 12 days per year and carryover of sick time shall be in accordance with the district's personnel policies. Sick days may be used for personal illness or dental or medical appointments or for similar uses to care for Caddigan's spouse and children. At the end of his employment, regardless of any reason, Caddigan "shall not be paid for any of his accrued sick time."

Health, Disability And Life Insurance

The park district will provide Caddigan with a term life insurance policy in the amount of his annual salary up to $200,000, his contract specifies. "The park district shall provide director with group health, disability, and other health related benefits to the same extent as is provided under the park district's plan or plans for its general work force." Currently, the park district's insurance contribution for Staab and Caddigan for 2026 is the same, $27,478.

IMRF Pension

According to his contract, Joliet's Park District "agrees to make the employee contributions to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund on behalf of" Caddigan. According to the current salary information for Caddigan and Staab, the park district is currently contributing $37,289 on behalf of Staab to IMRF and $23,800 for Caddigan as deputy director.

The final four pages of Caddigan's contract outline the reasons he can terminated cause, how things would go if the park board chose to terminate him for convenience or if he chose to leave by way of resignation. "In the event director resigns, the severance pay set forth in paragraph 16 shall not be owed or paid to director."

What Happens To Brad Staab Next?

"As part of this transition, Brad Staab, current executive director, will remain for a period of time with the Joliet Park District and serve in an advisory capacity by providing strategic guidance, sharing valuable experience and insights,' this week's Joliet Park District press release noted.

Back in 2019, the press release announced that Staab was becoming the new executive director for the Joliet Park District effective September 9, 2019. "Brad’s appointment also allows the Board to follow through on its previously announced plan to eliminate the Deputy Director position, saving the district an additional $109,000 in salary, plus benefits," that press release indicated. "Brad has been with the park district since 1991, working in various departments throughout that time. Most recently he has held the position of Deputy Director since 2016 and the Interim Executive Director since May 2019. Staab is a lifelong member of the local community, attending Providence Catholic High School and the University of St. Francis, graduating with a degree in Mass Communication."