$1 million a year? In Chicago, for running a museum?
Where does he think he is, California?
Generally speaking - those high level positions, especially in art museums, are for those who are “good earners” - ie., they have the pull to get the donations, grants, etc.
To be paid this much, he must be a VERY GOOD ‘earner’. Perhaps he spent too much time around the filthy rich and thought he could mimic their private aircraft antics on his commercial flight?
The Art Institute is a fine museum, or anyway used to be.