Champaign Council Rejects Their Own Raises

Champaign City Council members have unanimously rejected a panel’s suggestion that they get an increase in salary.

The City Council Compensation Task Force recommended no raise for the office of mayor, who makes $35,000 a year.   But it sought to raise council members’ salary from $5,000 to $6,000 annually. 

The changes would have gone into effect in 2015.

Council member Paul Faraci says it’s not the right time, when taxpayers have already been asked to pay more.

"People that are paying attention have seen city council in the last six months raise fees and taxes," he said.   "And to give ourselves a raise - whether it’s 5-percent, 10-percent, or 33-percent is really a slap in the face to the people to have to pay taxes, and are working two and three jobs.”

The panel’s recommendation is based on the salaries in 18 similar sized cities.

The last salary increase for Champaign’s mayor and city council were approved in 2006, and went into effect in 2009.