Editorial: It’s a lousy moment for an automatic aldermanic pay raise – Chicago Tribune*

"We’re in Chicago, though, where too often politicians get taken care of no matter how badly they perform. The latest example is an automatic 5.5% salary increase for the City Council that goes into effect Jan. 1. Automatic raises for politicians insult the public. Elected officials who want more money for themselves should be required to explain why and vote up or down on it."