Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) wants an increase in her salary despite the issue with crime in the city, according to a report.
The Chicago Sun Times reported the city’s mayor has not received a pay raise since 2006.
Mayors Richard M. Daley, Rahm Emanuel and Lori Lightfoot have all reportedly received a salary of $216,210 a year.
However, as the outlet noted, that could change for Lightfoot.
The Times explained, “The catch-all ‘management ordinance’ introduced at Wednesday’s City Council meeting and tied to Lightfoot’s $16.4 billion budget proposes tying the mayor’s future salary to the rate of inflation or 5%, whichever is less.”
According to the Times, the pay increase of 5% would increase the mayor’s salary by $10,810, to $227,020.
The increase would take effect in January 2024.
Additionally, the city treasurer and city clerk would also benefit from annual increases after that “capped at 5% or the rate of inflation, whichever is less,” as the Times reported.
As the outlet reports, “All three could issue sworn statements declining the annual increases, just as alderpersons can do now with their annual increases tied to inflation — though without a 5% cap.”
During a news conference after the meeting, Lightfoot said the ordinance placed the mayor, clerk and treasurer “in line with all of the other elected officials regarding a cost-of-living increase.”
She explained, “It’s not a salary increase. I want to make sure that’s clear.”
Lightfoot continued, “It puts us in line with the aldermen. It would not go into effect until 2024. And…the mayor, the clerk and the treasurer would have the ability to opt in or opt out.”
The report comes just weeks after Lightfoot received criticism for posting TikTok videos instead of addressing an increase in crime.
Democrat Mayor Lori Lightfoot should focus more on stopping the rampant crime in Chicago instead of making silly TikTok videos. pic.twitter.com/86876eRrm3
— Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (@RepDLesko) October 5, 2022
Fox News reported Lightfoot also posted a video of her singing karaoke as violent crime increased 37% when compared to the same period of time last year.
“It’s time to sing your hearts out, Chicago! Our karaoke competition is starting Sunday and will go until Nov. 6th. Now’s your time to shine,” Lightfoot wrote as a caption for her video.
Last week, NBC 5 noted while murders in the city have decreased by 17% over last year, and shootings by 20%, other crimes are dramatically rising.
The outlet explained motor vehicle theft has increased by 80% over last year and theft by 79%.
Criminal sexual assault has spiked by 25% over the previous two years, according to statistics released by the Chicago Police Department, as the outlet cites.
