City of Chicago / Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

Agency file

Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

Source file: City of Chicago — Employee Salaries / ingested Jun 19, 2026

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events supports cultural and educational resources such as libraries, museums, and the arts.

In 2026, this agency had 66 employees with median total compensation of $98,394; the highest distinct record was $195,000.

Year: 2026
Employees: 66
Median total: $98,394
Highest record: $195,000

What the records show

Compensation analytics

These summaries compare pay within the agency before listing individual records.

Salary distribution

$30,212$167,964+

How 2026 total compensation is spread across the 66 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($98,394) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

Base — $107,550 (100%)
Overtime — $0 (0%)
Other — $0 (0%)
Benefits — $0 (0%)

What an average paycheck here is made of — base salary versus overtime, other pay (bonuses, allowances), and benefits. A large overtime or other-pay share means take-home often exceeds base salary.

Pay percentiles

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$69,684

$80,124

$98,394

$139,140

$153,384

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $153,384 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $69,684. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

Cultural Affairs Coordinator II

20 · $80,124

Program Director - Cultural Affairs

11 · $153,384

Deputy Commissioner

6 · $157,332

Projects Administrator

4 · $113,568

Student Intern

4 · $30,212

The most common job titles in this department by headcount, with the median total compensation for each. Click a title to see everyone who holds it.

Record list

Employees

Highest-paid first / page 1

Kenya Merritt

Commissioner of Cultural Affairs/Spec Events/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$195,000

Base pay: $195,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $195,000
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $195,000

Kenya Merritt holds the role of Commissioner of Cultural Affairs/Spec Events at Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $195,000.

Tahira Baig

Deputy Commissioner/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$167,964

Base pay: $167,964
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $167,964
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $167,964

Tahira Baig holds the role of Deputy Commissioner at Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $167,964.

Meida Mcneal

Deputy Commissioner/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$157,332

Base pay: $157,332
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $157,332
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $157,332

Meida Mcneal is a Deputy Commissioner at Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $157,332.

Lionel Melgar

Data Services Administrator/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$157,332

Base pay: $157,332
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $157,332
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $157,332

Lionel Melgar works as a Data Services Administrator for Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Their status is full-time. Lionel earned $157,332 in 2026.

Natasha Olguin

Deputy Commissioner/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$157,332

Base pay: $157,332
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $157,332
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $157,332

Natasha Olguin is a Deputy Commissioner at Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $157,332.

Bria Purdiman

Deputy Commissioner/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$157,332

Base pay: $157,332
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $157,332
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $157,332

Bria Purdiman is a Deputy Commissioner at Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $157,332.

James Castillo

Program Director - Cultural Affairs/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$153,384

Base pay: $153,384
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,384
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $153,384

James Castillo holds the role of Program Director - Cultural Affairs at Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $153,384.

Joseph Fonzino

Program Director - Cultural Affairs/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$153,384

Base pay: $153,384
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,384
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $153,384

Joseph Fonzino holds the role of Program Director - Cultural Affairs at Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $153,384.

Zhenesse Heinemann

Program Director - Cultural Affairs/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$153,384

Base pay: $153,384
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,384
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $153,384

Zhenesse Heinemann works as a Program Director - Cultural Affairs for Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Their status is full-time. Zhenesse earned $153,384 in 2026.

Neal Heitz

Program Director - Cultural Affairs/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$153,384

Base pay: $153,384
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,384
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $153,384

At Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Neal Heitz serves as a Program Director - Cultural Affairs. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $153,384.

Lisa Lorick

Assistant Commissioner/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$153,384

Base pay: $153,384
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,384
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $153,384

At Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Lisa Lorick serves as a Assistant Commissioner. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $153,384.

Yescenia Mota

Program Director Special Events/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$153,384

Base pay: $153,384
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,384
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $153,384

Yescenia Mota holds the role of Program Director Special Events at Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $153,384.

Laura Trejo Lozano

Program Director - Cultural Affairs/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$153,384

Base pay: $153,384
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,384
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $153,384

Laura Trejo Lozano works as a Program Director - Cultural Affairs for Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Their status is full-time. Laura earned $153,384 in 2026.

Melanie Wang

Program Director - Cultural Affairs/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$153,384

Base pay: $153,384
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $153,384
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $153,384

At Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Melanie Wang serves as a Program Director - Cultural Affairs. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $153,384.

Betsey Grais

Program Director Special Events/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$146,808

Base pay: $146,808
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $146,808
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $146,808

Betsey Grais works as a Program Director Special Events for Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Their status is full-time. Betsey earned $146,808 in 2026.

Frayne Lewis

Deputy Commissioner/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$139,140

Base pay: $139,140
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,140
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $139,140

Frayne Lewis holds the role of Deputy Commissioner at Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $139,140.

Erik Madsen

Deputy Commissioner/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$139,140

Base pay: $139,140
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $139,140
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $139,140

Erik Madsen works as a Deputy Commissioner for Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Their status is full-time. Erik earned $139,140 in 2026.

Monica Cazares

Director of Finance/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$137,532

Base pay: $137,532
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,532
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $137,532

Monica Cazares holds the role of Director of Finance at Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $137,532.

Joshua Fox

Program Director - Cultural Affairs/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$137,532

Base pay: $137,532
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,532
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $137,532

At Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Joshua Fox serves as a Program Director - Cultural Affairs. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $137,532.

Acasia Gibson

Program Director - Cultural Affairs/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$137,532

Base pay: $137,532
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,532
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $137,532

Acasia Gibson is a Program Director - Cultural Affairs at Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $137,532.

Brett Swinney

Program Director - Cultural Affairs/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$137,532

Base pay: $137,532
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,532
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $137,532

Brett Swinney holds the role of Program Director - Cultural Affairs at Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $137,532.

Carlos Tortolero

Program Director - Cultural Affairs/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$137,532

Base pay: $137,532
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $137,532
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $137,532

Carlos Tortolero works as a Program Director - Cultural Affairs for Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Their status is full-time. Carlos earned $137,532 in 2026.

Christine Jacob

Program Coordinator - Special Events/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$136,692

Base pay: $136,692
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $136,692
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $136,692

At Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Christine Jacob serves as a Program Coordinator - Special Events. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $136,692.

Janeth Youngblood

Program Coordinator - Special Events/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$136,692

Base pay: $136,692
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $136,692
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $136,692

At Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Janeth Youngblood serves as a Program Coordinator - Special Events. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $136,692.

Laura Reyes Brown

Project Coordinator/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$130,668

Base pay: $130,668
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $130,668
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $130,668

At Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Laura Reyes Brown serves as a Project Coordinator. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $130,668.

Julie Partynski

Sponsorship Coordinator/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$124,584

Base pay: $124,584
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $124,584
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $124,584

Julie Partynski works as a Sponsorship Coordinator for Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Their status is full-time. Julie earned $124,584 in 2026.

Lamar Gayles

Program Director - Cultural Affairs/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$121,668

Base pay: $121,668
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $121,668
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $121,668

Lamar Gayles is a Program Director - Cultural Affairs at Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $121,668.

Joshua Schwimer

Contracts Coordinator/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$119,100

Base pay: $119,100
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $119,100
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $119,100

Joshua Schwimer holds the role of Contracts Coordinator at Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $119,100.

Amanda Carlson

Projects Administrator/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$113,568

Base pay: $113,568
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $113,568
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $113,568

At Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Amanda Carlson serves as a Projects Administrator. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $113,568.

Vivian Pappalas

Projects Administrator/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$113,568

Base pay: $113,568
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $113,568
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $113,568

Vivian Pappalas holds the role of Projects Administrator at Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $113,568.

Lydia Ross

Projects Administrator/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$113,568

Base pay: $113,568
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $113,568
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $113,568

At Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Lydia Ross serves as a Projects Administrator. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $113,568.

Nora Zboril

Public Relations Representative III - Excld/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$113,568

Base pay: $113,568
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $113,568
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $113,568

Nora Zboril is a Public Relations Representative III - Excld at Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $113,568.

Rogelio Cerritos

Cultural Affairs Coordinator II/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$98,832

Base pay: $98,832
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,832
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $98,832

Rogelio Cerritos is a Cultural Affairs Coordinator II at Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $98,832.

Mayowa Obafemi-Adewale

Contracts Coordinator/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$97,956

Base pay: $97,956
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,956
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $97,956

Mayowa Obafemi-Adewale works as a Contracts Coordinator for Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Their status is full-time. Mayowa earned $97,956 in 2026.

Melissa Thomfohrda

Projects Administrator/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$97,836

Base pay: $97,836
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $97,836
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $97,836

Melissa Thomfohrda works as a Projects Administrator for Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Their status is full-time. Melissa earned $97,836 in 2026.

David Chavez

Cultural Affairs Coordinator II/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$90,000

Base pay: $90,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,000
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $90,000

At Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, David Chavez serves as a Cultural Affairs Coordinator II. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $90,000.

Susan Friel

Cultural Affairs Coordinator II/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$90,000

Base pay: $90,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,000
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $90,000

Susan Friel is a Cultural Affairs Coordinator II at Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $90,000.

Nathan Mason

Cultural Affairs Coordinator II/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$90,000

Base pay: $90,000
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $90,000
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $90,000

Nathan Mason is a Cultural Affairs Coordinator II at Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. They work full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $90,000.

Kiesha Freeman-Lambert

Administrative Services Officer II/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$89,244

Base pay: $89,244
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,244
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $89,244

At Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Kiesha Freeman-Lambert serves as a Administrative Services Officer II. They work full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $89,244.

Jennifer Brown

Cultural Affairs Coordinator II/Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

2026 total comp

$85,980

Base pay: $85,980
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,980
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay basis: Salaried

Source-specific fields

Annual Salary: $85,980

Jennifer Brown holds the role of Cultural Affairs Coordinator II at Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Their status is full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $85,980.