Arlington Heights park director gets $85,000 for unused sick, vacation days

When Steve Scholten retired this week as executive director of the Arlington Heights Park District, his compensation included some $85,000 worth of unused vacation and sick days he accumulated, officials said.

Since Scholten announced his retirement late last year, the park district has gradually been paying out the 10 weeks of unused vacation time and 35 unused sick days - the maximum amount of time he could be paid for per park district policies and his contract, according to park board President Maryfran Leno.

The park board changed the rules in 2012 so new employees can't cash out any unused sick days. They can still take payouts for unused vacation time.

Scholten's final base salary was $201,000, after the park board awarded him a 6 percent raise at the start of 2016 and a 6 percent raise the year before, Leno said.

He started his tenure at the park district in 2008 at $143,000.

Park district officials budgeted his total compensation for the 2015-16 fiscal year at $240,523.55, but Leno said the actual number likely was less.

Scholten's replacement, Rick Hanetho, is being paid a base salary of $185,000, plus a $625 monthly car allowance and $800 longevity bonus for having more than 30 years of experience.