Chicago Ward 15 Ald. Raymond Lopez has proposed that elected officials generate nearly $375K from salary forfeitures for the COVID-19 fight. | Facebook
Chicago Ward 15 Ald. Raymond Lopez has proposed that elected officials generate nearly $375K from salary forfeitures for the COVID-19 fight. | Facebook
A Chicago Ward 15 alderman whose annual salary is $122,304 has called for Chicago aldermen, the mayor, city treasurer and city clerk to forfeit their salaries for 15 days because of COVID-19.
Ald. Ray Lopez (15th) proposed that for 15 days the mayor of Chicago, the city clerk, treasurer and 50 aldermen should forego their salaries to help in the COVID-19 fight. The 15-day furlough would generate approximately $375,000, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Lopez proposed on March 20 that all the officials forfeit pay so that savings in salaries could purchase protective equipment and supplies for first responders fighting COVID-19, Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Lopez told the Chicago Sun-Times that the money saved from the forfeitures would go to the city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications for purchasing equipment for first responders, including nurses, firefighters and police.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot earns $216,210 annually; City Clerk Andrea Valenica earns $133,545; City Treasurer Melissa Ervin earns $133,545, according to the Chicago Data Portal.
Lopez was elected April 7, 2015 as Chicago Ward 15 alderman.
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