Disgraced Ex-Elmhurst D205 Official Collects Pension

ELMHURST, IL – The former Elmhurst School District 205 official accused of abusing his government credit card now receives a public pension.

Through a public records request, Patch obtained pension documents for Todd Schmidt, the district's former facilities director.

At 56, Schmidt started receiving early retirement payments in February 2024, according to documents from the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. That was two months after his sudden resignation.

This year, Schmidt is on track to receive $61,414, up from last year's $59,625.

His final Elmhurst salary was $146,000.

As a pensioner, Schmidt, a Rockford resident, gets annual 3 percent increases.

In 2001, Schmidt began contributing to the pension system as an employee of the Rockford Public Schools. He worked there until Elmhurst hired him in 2018.

He still lives in an eastside Rockford neighborhood. The county values his house at $270,000; a similar home in Elmhurst would likely be worth much more.

In November 2024, Schmidt was arrested on felony charges in Rockford, accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from his mother. He resigned soon after.

A month later, Patch reported that Schmidt used his public credit card for $50,000 in personal spending. The items included booze, cigars, restaurant meals, country club outings, airfare and sorority payments.

He paid back all the money, typically every month, according to the district. The scandal led to the departure of the district's top finance official.

In Illinois, government employees are banned from using public resources for personal purposes.

The local police department decided against charging Schmidt.

If he had been convicted of a job-related felony, Schmidt would have lost his right to a govenrment pension.

As facilities director, Schmidt was in charge of about $170 million in voter-approved building projects.

His wife, Rita Schmidt, faces charges in the same criminal case. Their next hearing is on Monday.