A sense of good cheer pervaded the last City Council meeting before the holidays, on December 14, where the aldermen finished weeks of discussing Mayor Daley’s 2006 city budget by making a few amendments and signing off on it 48 to 1. Fourth Ward alderman Toni Preckwinkle was the sole no vote; the 33rd Ward’s Richard Mell was absent.
Percent increase in the national consumer price index over the past year: 3.5
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Percent increase in the council’s budget since the first city budget Richard M. Daley introduced as mayor, in 1990: 71.6
Percent increase in the consumer price index over the same period: 51.2
Number of pay hikes aldermen have given themselves since 1990: 6
Number (not counting aldermen) listed in November 2005 payroll records: 290
Top 2005 salary not itemized in 2005 budget, for chief administrative officer Charles Lomanto: $106,572
