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

By Hal Dardick, Ryan Mark, Joe Germuska and Brian Boyer | Tribune Staff
Apr. 7, 2010

Aldermen leased luxury automobiles, rented downtown parking spaces and paid for public relations 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. In 2009, 18 of the city's 50 aldermen spent more than $70,000 of their allowances.

Most aldermen spent some of their 2009 expense allowance on staff help for their ward offices. In some cases, they hired relatives, friends or political allies.

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.

Explore all of the aldermen's 2009 expenses on this Web site.

To learn more about how aldermen spent taxpayer money, read our story on aldermen's expense accounts. For historical information browse the 2008 City Council expense database.