Job-title file

Cook I

Carry out the duties of this position in support of the agency's public mission.

26 employees hold this title in Veterans' Affairs. Median total compensation for the role is $42,350, below the department median of $66,500.

Employees: 26
Total payroll: $1M
Role median: $42,350
Agency median: $66,500
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$1,600$68,350+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 26 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compare departments

This role across Illinois

Cook I is held in 2 Illinois departments. In Veterans' Affairs, the median of $42,350 ranks #1 of 2.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Human Services

$39,600 · 47

Median total compensation for the Cook I role in other Illinoisdepartments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Compare jurisdictions

Cook beyond Illinois

This role is reported in 20 jurisdictions. In Illinois, the median of $48,700 ranks #6 of 20. See Cook across all of Illinois →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

City and County of San Francisco

$121,457 · 38

Los Angeles County

$106,337 · 8

Massachusetts

$56,973 · 108

New York Public Authorities

$52,186 · 18

New York City

$51,280 · 94

Minnesota

$47,360 · 113

Chicago Public Schools

$46,984 · 300

Texas

$42,923 · 368

Median total compensation for comparable Cookroles in other jurisdictions. Titles are matched by normalized name across sources, not identical job classification, and pay is not cost-of-living adjusted. Each bar links to that jurisdiction’s page for the role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Lisa Colboth

Cook I/Veterans' Affairs

2025 total comp

$54,900

Sub-department: Anna Veterans Home - Grf
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $54,900
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $54,900
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Union

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: CERTIFIED
Period Pay Rate: $2,200
Rutan Exempt: No

Lisa Colboth holds the role of Cook I at Veterans' Affairs within Anna Veterans Home - Grf. In 2025, their total compensation was $54,900. They are represented by Collective Bargaining.

Casey Ponder

Cook I/Veterans' Affairs

2025 total comp

$53,700

Sub-department: Lasalle Veterans Home - Home Fund
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $53,700
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $53,700
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: La Salle

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: No
Employment Status: CERTIFIED
Period Pay Rate: $2,800
Rutan Exempt: No

Casey Ponder works as a Cook I for Veterans' Affairs within Lasalle Veterans Home - Home Fund. Casey earned $53,700 in 2025. Union affiliation: Collective Bargaining.

Michael Mace

Cook I/Veterans' Affairs

2024 total comp

$52,300

Sub-department: Quincy Veterans Home - Grf
Base pay: $0
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $52,300
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $52,300
Union / bargaining unit: Collective Bargaining
Work county: Adams

Source-specific fields

4-D Exempt: Yes
Employment Status: CERTIFIED
Period Pay Rate: $2,300
Rutan Exempt: No

Michael Mace works as a Cook I for Veterans' Affairs within Quincy Veterans Home - Grf. Michael earned $52,300 in 2024. Union affiliation: Collective Bargaining.