Suburban Firefighter Works 132 Hours A Week, Pulling In $260K

CLARENDON HILLS, IL – Do you think you work a lot? You likely can't compare to a particular Clarendon Hills firefighter.

According to payroll records, Deputy Chief Michael DeLillo worked nearly 6,900 hours last year, averaging 132 hours a week. That works out to about 79 percent of his life in 2025.

"Since I was 14, I have never had less than two jobs. That's just who I am," DeLillo said in an interview Wednesday. "I support my wife, who is battling cancer, and my two disabled children. I am working to make this a well-staffed, well-trained department."

Almost three-fourths of DeLillo's hours were spent as a part-time firefighter. When he works the night shift, he and his colleagues often sleep for much of it.

For the rest of his hours, DeLillo works as the deputy fire chief and building inspector.

On holidays, DeLillo gets a higher rate of pay. He received holiday pay for nine of the 10 village holidays in 2025. The exception was Presidents Day.

In January, Patch reported that DeLillo made $260,830 from the village last year. His pay far exceeded that of any other village employee.

The highest-paid employee was then-Village Manager Zach Creer, whose salary was $178,000. DeLillo's boss, Fire Chief Dave Godek, received $144,000.

In January, Village Manager Paul Dalen said village policy lets employees work such shifts at a lower pay scale than their normal rate.

"(DeLillo) tends to cover numerous off-hour shifts at the Fire Department and plays a necessary role," Dalen said in an email. "With that said, the Fire Department is actively recruiting part-time firefighters and paramedics to increase the pool of employees in order to spread out schedule opportunities."

Under this year's compensation report, DeLillo is budgeted to make $277,000. But he said he doubted he would work nearly that much, given that the department has hired seven new people this year.

"Our staff should be up to where it needs to be," he said.

DeLillo was a part-time Clarendon Hills firefighter before becoming the deputy chief early last year.