U of I President Hogan Defends Salary to Ill. Lawmakers

University of Illinois President Michael Hogan's $620,000 annual salary continues to vex state legislators.

During a Senate hearing, Hogan told Illinois lawmakers that a continued erosion of state support and the resulting lack of raises for the schools' employees have caused top faculty to leave. Hogan said making the U of I's salaries more competitive is a top goal. Republican Senator Chris Lauzen of Aurora questioned how Hogan can talk with school staff about raises given his salary.

"How will you possibly speak credibly about shared sacrifice with that background?" Lauzen asked.

Other Senators have also called Hogan's paycheck excessive, but Hogan said he will not apologize for it.

"This is the price of doing business at a major, top ten public university, and to stay competitive," Hogan said. "The arrangements I have are virtually no different than any other Big Ten president."

Hogan said he did not take a pay hike when he stepped down as University of Connecticut's President to sign on with the U of I last summer.