University of Illinois President Robert Easter will get one last pay increase before he retires later this month.
University trustees meeting Thursday in Springfield approved a $167,200 performance bonus. The money was for successfully working with his successor, Timothy Killeen, on a smooth transition and other measures.
Easter could have received up to $176,000. Easter's base salary is $478,558 and his total annual compensation is now $645,758. University spokesman Tom Hardy said that is eighth among the 14 Big Ten presidents.
Easter has been awarded performance bonuses each year on the job. He's scheduled to retire May 18.
Trustees and administrators praised Easter at the meeting as a humble leader. The longtime administrator had planned to retire in 2012 but took over when Michael Hogan unexpectedly resigned.
