15 City Council members decline 9.62% pay raise tied to inflation

Fifteen City Council members — including a mayoral challenger and a retiring member who may join the field — are saying, "No, thanks" to a 9.62% pay raise.

Among them is Ald. Tom Tunney (44th), the powerful chairman of the Council's Zoning Committee, who is retiring from the City Council in May after 20 years on the job.

He is still seriously considering joining colleagues Ray Lopez (15th), Sophia King (4th) and Roderick Sawyer (6th) in the crowded field of candidates seeking to deny Mayor Lori Lightfoot a second term.

Tunney and Lopez are among the 15 declining a pay increase tied to the rate of inflation that will boost the maximum salary for a Chicago alderperson to $142,772.

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