Make $183,341 As Joliet's Next Media Relations Director For Mayor D'Arcy, Beth Beatty: Job Opening Revealed

JOLIET, IL — As 2026 begins, the city of Joliet has posted several job openings on its website. Joliet is one of the highest-paying employers across the entire Will County region and one of the key openings available carries a potential top salary of $183,341 — director of media engagement and communications, also known as City Hall's public relations director.

The job opening just occurred.

Rosemaria DiBenedetto, who served as Terry D'Arcy's campaign manager for his April 2023 victory over incumbent Mayor Bob O'Dekirk, announced her departure from Joliet in November. DiBenedetto finished her employment with Joliet during the week before Christmas. She left Joliet to take over as the new village administrator for Manhattan.

When Joliet hired DiBenedetto in May 2024, DiBenedetto was given a starting salary of $159,900 in the newly created position at City Hall. Last August, city manager Beth Beatty gave her non-union employees at City Hall a 3.25 percent salary raise retroactive to January, boosting DiBenedetto's new annual pay to $165,097, a retroactive salary increase of $5,197.

According to the announcement on Joliet's website, the director of media engagement & communications identifies, develops, recommends and implements media outreach efforts for the City of Joliet, is a key member of the city’s leadership and management team, and leads the city of Joliet’s overall communications strategy.

The salary range is listed at $111,000 to $183,341 per year "with excellent benefits."

According to Joliet, the media relations director position will remain open until filled.

"Applications will be reviewed as received," the job notice reads.

As for the job requirements, Joliet indicates that prospective applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in a related field and five years in public relations/communications. Applicants should have experience with city operations and "a proven ability to develop and execute integrated media strategies."

In the meantime, Ann Sylvester, who came to Joliet's City Hall in August, filling another newly created position in the D'Arcy and Beatty administration, sent out an email advisory earlier this week, reading, "Dear Members of the Media, I’m writing to share that following Rosemaria DiBenedetto’s departure, I will be serving as the primary point of contact for media inquiries on an interim basis."

Sylvester's job title is director of cultural affairs & special events. Before joining Joliet, Sylvester was a long time City of Chicago employee.

If you are interested in becoming Joliet's next director of media engagement, here are details on the city's job opening.