Water Waste

By Sean Stillmaker in News on Sep 5, 2010 4:00PM

With the cash strapped governments of today, cutting spending and scaling back resources is vital. Chicago alone is facing a budget gap of $654 million next year. Too bad they can’t use the $1 million of taxpayer money the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District spent over three years on lavish dinners and trips.

The district itself is experiencing budget problems with a $24 million shortfall in 2011. However, their grand scheme to steer the ship to safer waters was increase the salaries of the executives. The six-figure executive salaries have doubled since 2005 the Chicago News Cooperative and Better Government Association investigation found. All of this is paid by the citizens. And so is the 30 percent increase on property tax so the employees of the district can go on a $3,400 river cruise for 90 minutes.