Another $22K For Bensenville Village President

BENSENVILLE, IL – Some Bensenville residents were upset that the village last week quickly approved a $135,000 salary for the village president if the voters change the local form of government next year.

But it turns out Village President Frank DeSimone could end up getting even more than that.

When the Village Board enacted the pay hike for the president, it also approved raising the liquor control commissioner's pay to $22,000, from $12,000.

Who's the liquor control commissioner? President DeSimone.

If voters do away with the managerial form of government in the April 1 election, DeSimone could see his pay rise to $157,000, up from $38,000 (his $26,000 salary, plus the $12,000 liquor commissioner pay).

This is far more than what most mayors and village presidents make.

For instance, Elmhurst's mayor makes $8,400 a year, plus $300 for being the liquor control commissioner. That $300 salary would be 1.3 percent of DeSimone's commissioner pay. Elmhurst's population is 2½ times more than Bensenville's.

Bensenville officials say that with the higher pay, DeSimone would become a full-time president. Most mayors and presidents are part time.

In the last couple of weeks, Patch has called Bensenville Village Hall three times asking who the liquor control commissioner was. Each time, staffers said it was Corey Williamsen, the deputy village clerk.

Last week, Patch emailed Williamsen about whether he was the liquor control commissioner. He did not respond.

So Patch filed a public records request seeking a document showing the identity of the commissioner. The village responded Thursday.

Under Illinois law, mayors and village presidents are the commissioners, although they can deputize others for the role.

It is unclear whether DeSimone or Williamsen does the bulk of the work on liquor control issues. Patch left a message for comment with both men Thursday.

DeSimone and incumbent trustees face no opposition in the April election. They unanimously enacted the pay increases after the candidate filing period ended.

A week before the decision, the trustees unanimously voted to fire Village Manager Evan Summers after eight years. They did so without explaining.

Days before that, Summers publicly praised the village president and trustees.

DeSimone recently retired as a Schiller Park detective.