CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Most of Chicago’s aldermen are taking an automatic pay raise, the largest in more than a decade.
The highest-paid aldermen will be getting pay increases of just over $6,700. And those declining the bump, according to the Chicago Tribune, now stand at five: Raymond Lopez, Silvana Tabares, Felix Cardona, Gilbert Villegas and Matt Martin.
Forty-five aldermen as of now are taking the 5.5% increase, which is automatic unless they opt out. The City Council passed an ordinance in 2006 tying increases or reductions in pay to the Consumer Price Index saving them the potential political fallout from voting themselves pay raises.
Lopez said it would be morally and politically wrong to take a nearly $7,000 increase when so many are struggling.
The highest paid aldermen will be making over $130,000.
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