The Chicago Sun-Times this morning reports that some patronage workers at the Forest Preserve District are getting hefty pay raises:

Patronage workers with the Cook County Forest Preserve District are seeing more green these days — in their paychecks.

With people everywhere facing tough financial times, the 28 forest preserve patronage workers who’ve been on the payroll since 2006 all got hefty raises in the following two years, an analysis by the Chicago Sun-Times and the Better Government Association has found. They’re among 38 forest preserve workers who are exempt from the Shakman court order that bans political hiring in city and county government.

Shakeman-exempt employees of the Cook County Forest Preserve District who have contributed funds to Stroger campaigns have seen their salaries grow, including Steve Bylina, whose salary is 4168,511, Richard Waszak, who earns $105,165 and Frank Damato, whose salary is $100,657.

On average, the exempt employees were paid $98,071 last year. Nine of them saw their salaries increase 19 percent or more between 2006 and 2008.