10 employees take buyouts in Hoffman Estates

Hoffman Estates Police Chief Clinton Herdegen is among 10 village employees leaving their jobs before Dec. 31 in buyout agreements.

The departures are expected to save Hoffman Estates more than $1.1 million a year, based on full 2010 salary and benefits as listed on the village website.

That figure does not include the cost of the three years of health insurance the village is giving the 10 as part of the agreements.

Village officials say the buyouts will give the village flexibility as the economy thaws and it grows comfortable with new expenses, including running the Sears Centre Arena.

Herdegen's last day will be Sept. 30, ending a police career in Hoffman Estates that began in 1981. Herdegen turned 50 in December, and that told Mayor William McLeod that he'll soon be employed elsewhere.

"He's an outstanding citizen in our community, and I hope it works out well for him," McLeod said.

Many of the 10, including Herdegen, are close to maxing out their pension benefits. Herdegen acknowledged as much, as he's in his 29th year with the department. Pension benefits cap out after 30 years.

"This gave me an opportunity to closely review my personal situation as far as when I intend to retire," Herdegen said. "The voluntary separation plan made it more attractive" to leave at this time.

Herdegen did not want to say where he expects to work after Oct. 1. He thanked the village board and Village Manager James Norris for their support. The new police station is complete, which makes it an ideal time for his departure, he said.

The village offered buyouts to non-contract employees earlier this summer, Norris said Wednesday in an e-mail to village staff. The village has offered it three times in the last three years, he added.

The police chief's job and the vacancy left by Public works Director Ken Hari will be filled, Norris said. Some of the clerical positions could be merged and a deputy police post could be cut, he added.

Hari is making $175,716 in salary and benefits in 2010. Herdegen's salary and benefits total $190,416.

In September, the village will offer unionized workers from the fire and public works departments the same buyout option, Norris said.

Late last year the village asked its fire, police and public works departments to cut $400,000 each from their budgets, or face layoffs. The village forecast a $1.2 million deficit in the 2010 budget, and projections for 2011 look similar.

It's unclear if the 10 buyouts are enough to avoid future layoffs.

"We didn't have a set number. We knew, and now know, that the economy - while it's better than it was a year ago - is basically flat," Norris said.

The police officers union did not bargain, and to cut costs the village laid off three officers. Despite the layoffs, the officers union president, Flo Williams, said she would prefer Herdegen's replacement to come from outside the department.

An acting police chief will be named as the village searches for Herdegen's successor. In 1998 it took the village 20 months to name Herdegen the chief - he was acting chief much of that time, replacing former Chief Donald Cundiff.

"If nothing else, this has been the best 29 years of my life," Herdegen said. "I have been honored and privileged to serve this community and department for 29 years, the last 12 as a chief.

"That's certainly not an opportunity that is handed to anybody, and I didn't take it lightly. I'm proud to serve in this capacity."

Taking the buyout; date of departurebull; Police Chief Clinton Herdegen; Oct. 1. bull; Public Works Director Ken Hari; Dec. 1.bull; Deputy Fire Chief John Mayer; Dec. 31.bull; Police Lt. Dennis Jones; Sept. 1.bull; Bonnie Busse, administrative assistant, fire dept.; Nov. 19.bull; Judy Hilligoss, police dept. administrative assistant; Dec. 31.bull; Arja Kasper, finance dept. customer service representative; Dec. 31.bull; Sherry Lane, police dept. administrative staff assistant; Dec. 31.bull; Cheryl McGraw, police dept. administrative assistant; Sept. 17.bull; Myrtle Montag, public works dept. administrative staff assistant; Dec. 31.False367503Hoffman Estates police Chief Clint Herdegen False