Per Illinois law, the recently fired Galesburg police chief will be able to retain his full pension.
Galesburg Police Chief Russ Idle was dismissed Monday following a two-week investigation that found the 30-year veteran of the department committed violations of the City of Galesburg’s sexual harassment and discrimination policies.
The dismissal led to questions from followers of our WGIL Facebook page who asked if Idle would have to forfeit his pension.
WGIL turned to City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz, who said:
“Illinois law governs the Article 3 Pension Fund for police officers. It outlines that a police officer’s earned pension benefits are not forfeited due to termination or firing, except in cases of criminal convictions directly related to their official duties.”
Bennewitz pointed to:
** (40 ILCS 5/3-147)**
Sec. 3-147. Felony conviction. None of the benefits provided in this Article shall be paid to any person who is convicted of any felony relating to or arising out of or in connection with his or her service as a police officer.
Idle is NOT facing criminal charges for the alleged violations of the City of Galesburg’s sexual harassment and discrimination policies, according to Bennewitz.
City Manager Eric Hanson confirmed that Idle was dismissed effective immediately, and he would receive no further compensation, other than his pension.
The last time a Galesburg Police officer lost their pension was in 2010, when an officer resigned the day before he was arrested and pleaded guilty to a Class 3 felony of theft.
Regarding the terms of police officer pensions, Bennewitz said:
- In Illinois, a police officer can retire at age 50 with 20 years of creditable service (or at age 60 with 8-20 years of service).
- An officer’s pension is 50% of the salary attached to their rank at retirement. If an officer has over 20 years, an additional 2.5% is earned for each full year up to 30 years, to the maximum of 75% of salary.
- Police officers contribute 9.91% of their wages to the pension fund.
Idle was appointed Galesburg Police Chief on Sept. 9, 2019. He began his career in law enforcement with the Galesburg Police Department on Aug. 29, 1994, and worked for GPD for 30 years. He served as a patrol officer, sergeant, lieutenant, and was promoted to captain in February 2018.
According to the city website, Idle’s 2025 annualized salary was $161,815.20. With health benefits, his total compensation package was $185,731.32 — making him the second-highest paid city employee behind the city manager.