Wilmette Park District Set To Pay $75,000 Severance To Director Departing Amid Accusations

WILMETTE, IL — Park commissioners in Wilmette are set to approve a separation agreement with outgoing Wilmette Park District Executive Director Steve Wilson that would allow him to continue receiving his nearly $200,000-a-year salary until June 20 — even though they declined to renew his contract when it expired at the start of the year.

A separation agreement included in the agenda for Monday's meeting provides Wilson, who announced his resignation last week, with more than $75,000 in severance payments.

Wilson is an at-will employee through the Jan. 31 effective date of his resignation.

According to a letter attached to the agreement from Park District President Kara Kosloskus, Wilson was "in good standing" when he quit.

Under the terms of the proposed agreement, Wilson would receive 20 weeks of severance pay — his weekly salary is $3,752.81 — in two installments.

The first 10 weeks would be paid after he signs the agreement, while the remaining 10 weeks would be contingent upon his signing of a supplemental separation agreement after his departure and abiding by its terms.

Additionally, Wilmette Park District commissioners would agreed to pay the employer's share Wilson's health insurance premiums under COBRA for up to 20 weeks, ending June 20, 2025, though he would lose that benefit if he begins a new job with health coverage before that date.

Under the agreement, Wilson would promise not to sue the park district, to help with the district's leadership transition, and to cooperate with future inquiries or legal matters involving the district.

That includes the $5 million pending lawsuit brought by the estate of the late Elizabeth “Liz” Cox, the district’s former superintendent of human resources, alleging a hostile work environment and retaliated against her prior to her resignation in May 2023.

The suit, filed last year, accuses Wilson of workplace misconduct and retaliation during Cox's battle with cancer.

Park district attorneys have filed a motion to dismiss the case, and attorneys for Cox's estate have until Feb. 4 to respond. The district then must reply by Feb. 25. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for March 13.

Wilson has "vehemently" denied the allegations in the complaint, though he has declined to answer questions about the details of its claims.

The separation agreement calls for Wilson to make himself available by telephone or email for the 20 weeks following his departure — but only to two people.

"Wilson shall only be obligated to respond to such questions from the Board President, the interim Executive Director, or the future Executive Director, during the twenty-week severance period," it said. "Wilson's severance pay is sufficient compensation for such transition services."

Read more: With Contract Up, Wilmette Park District Chief Quits As $5 Million Lawsuit Heads To Court

Update: Commissioners unanimously approved the separation agreement without comment as part of the consent agenda at their Jan. 13 board meeting.