Illinois Secretary of State

United States

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Illinois Secretary of State Compensation & Benefits

Updated on September 03, 2026

This page summarizes recurring themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Illinois Secretary of State and has not been reviewed or approved by Illinois Secretary of State.

How are the compensation & benefits at Illinois Secretary of State?

Strengths in retirement security, comprehensive healthcare, and broad leave are accompanied by challenges around base pay competitiveness, progression speed, and perceived equity versus similar state roles. Together, these dynamics suggest a total rewards package that is compelling on benefits and stability but may underwhelm candidates who prioritize salary growth and direct pay competitiveness.

Key Insight for Candidates

Defining tradeoff: robust, statewide benefits (including SERS pension) versus base pay that often trails comparable Illinois agencies, even after scheduled union raises. This matters because total value skews long‑term—great for candidates prioritizing security and retirement, less so if near‑term salary competitiveness is critical.

Evidence in Action

AFSCME Scheduled Pay Increases — AFSCME agreement 2023–2027 sets across‑the‑board increases on 7/1/2023, 1/1/2024, 7/1/2024, 7/1/2025, and 7/1/2026. Employees get predictable, contract‑timed base‑pay growth, enabling clearer financial planning and expectations.
SERS Tier 2 Pension — SERS Tier 2 defines age‑67 normal retirement with 10 years’ service and post‑retirement increases at the lesser of 3% or half CPI‑U. Employees build defined‑benefit pension value that strongly rewards tenure, shaping long‑term total compensation and retention.

Positive Themes About Illinois Secretary of State

Retirement Support: A defined-benefit pension through SERS is standard for SOS employees, with Tier 1/2 rules and reciprocity across Illinois public systems that bolster long‑term security. Optional 457(b) deferred compensation and retiree health contribution credits further enhance retirement readiness.
Healthcare Strength: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance are available via the State Employees Group Insurance Program with multiple plan types and annually published rates. Coverage includes modern features such as GLP‑1 medications (subject to program rules) and medically necessary gender‑affirming care in line with Illinois law.
Leave & Time Off Breadth: Employees have vacation, sick time, state holidays, and parental leave, and Illinois added paid leave “for any reason” in 2024. Agency and statewide materials outline typical PTO ranges and administration through CMS.

Considerations About Illinois Secretary of State

Unfair & Opaque Compensation: Pay is considered lower than comparable State of Illinois agencies for similar work, creating ongoing competitiveness concerns. Comparisons across state government repeatedly highlight this gap despite otherwise valued stability and benefits.
Stagnant Pay & Limited Progression: Pay compression and step placement are noted where new hires and long‑tenured staff earn similar amounts, and progression can feel slow even with scheduled across‑the‑board increases. Inflationary periods have also diminished the impact of recent raises.
Poor or Misaligned Recognition & Rewards: Compensation is often viewed as not matching workload in front‑line customer‑facing roles. While contract-driven increases have helped trendlines, perceived gaps with peer agencies persist.

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These insights are generated using AI and may not reflect internal data or verified company information. They are intended solely for general informational purposes and should not be considered a definitive assessment of the company’s reputation. If you are a representative of this company, and would like this page to be removed, you may contact us via this form.