Outgoing Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford handed out nearly $90,000 in one-time payments to 35 non-union employees on Oct. 31.
The State-Journal Register reports that the one-term Republican, who finished last in a four-way gubernatorial primary in March, also gave pay raises to dozens of employees over the past year.
Most of the stipends were for less than $3,000, but Rutherford's former chief of staff received $10,000 on top of her $125,000 salary.
Raises for the 25 nonunion employees ranged from 8 percent to 36 percent.
Rutherford spokeswoman Mary Frances Bragiel says the salary increases and one-time payments were based on performance, job changes and added responsibility.
Union officials criticized the move. Frank Prochaska, staff representative for Council 31 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents some treasurer’s office employees, told the newspaper that unionized employees received smaller raises in recent negotiations.
“It is a disgrace to dedicated state employees and public servants,” Prochaska said.
The newspaper also published a list of the raises and stipends it discovered.
Treasurer-elect Mike Frerichs' spokesman declined comment.
The newspaper also published a list of all the raises it discovered in the Treasurer's office.