Thursday, August 20, 2009

Alive and well By John Martinec

Fighting for the future members are stronger now. They have been able to show cause why Tom Clair and his board lacked the knowledge to run this local 726. Vince lives on the front line everyday is truly a sound and able labor leader to fight for all the members!

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Why aren't the aldermen cutting back?

City Council's $3.7 million allowance:
How aldermen spent taxpayer money

By Hal Dardick, Ryan Mark, Joe Germuska and Brian Boyer | Tribune Staff
Aug. 15, 2009

Aldermen hired relatives, friends and campaign workers, leased automobiles and rented downtown parking spaces with money from their taxpayer-funded expense accounts, according to city databases and public records compiled by the Tribune.

The aldermen's expense allowance more than doubled in 2008 to $73,280 each from $33,280. Half of the city's 50 aldermen spent more than $70,000 of last year’s allowance. The municipal code of the City of Chicago defines appropriate uses for the allowance but allows broad discretion by the City Council members. Oversight is minimal. Aldermen are merely told to ensure that their spending is legal.

Aldermen spent $132,788 on automobile leases, $28,186 on downtown parking spots and $11,277 on bottled water. The city last year allocated up to $3.7 million for expenses; aldermen spent $3.1 million.