How aldermen spent taxpayer money

Yesterday the Tribune posted a report on Aldermanic expenses:

Chicago aldermen have used their newly expanded, taxpayer-funded expense accounts to hire relatives, lease expensive vehicles and pay for downtown parking, according to a Tribune analysis.

The money -- up to $73,280 for each of the 50 City Council members -- comes from a budget line that gives aldermen wide discretion to cover an array of expenses related to official duties. After years of aldermen crying poor, Mayor Richard Daley agreed to more than double those funds to $3.7 million for 2008 -- even as the city struggled with a growing budget hole.

The Tribune analysis of the 2008 expense funds, augmented by other public records and dozens of interviews, showed a broad range in what aldermen deemed necessary spending to do their jobs and serve their constituents. It also raised new questions about political patronage and nepotism on the public dime.

--Twenty aldermen tapped expense accounts for all or part of monthly leases for vehicles that included luxury cars and large SUVs, and 14 paid for downtown parking leases.

--Three aldermen hired relatives, and more than a dozen hired political supporters.

--Several aldermen spent thousands of dollars on political consultants or other experts -- including a lawyer advising an alderman on her push to protect zoo elephants.

A handful of aldermen spent far less than their allowance, but half spent more than $70,000. Those questioned about their expenses expressed few regrets, and some said they need more to run operations in their wards.

Here's a page for the expenses by Ald. Lyle.

Freddrenna Lyle, 6th Ward, spent $55,002 in 2008. That's 75% of the $73,280 expense account provided to each ward.

Go to the Ald. Lyle link to see the items that this money was spent.

If you want to look at other Aldermen you can check out this page.

Compared to other alderman in the area Ald. Lyle is only second to Ald. Latasha Thomas (17th Ward) every one else is either at 99% or 100%. Ald. Beale (9th Ward) leases an automobile and that was part of a story I saw on FOX Chicago within the last year.

A lot of these expenses certainly goes towards constituent services. Especially if you do print services, phones, or even internet (Aldermen use e-mail and surf the web too! lol). The bottled water may be a problem, me personally I'm big on tap water and unless they no longer enforce this bottled water is taxed in this city.

All the same I can't say I see a big problem with at least some of the Alderman's expenses what say you? Drop a comment in this post!