Alderman: Consolidate Committees

By Chuck Sudo in News on Nov 10, 2010 8:20PM

23rd Ward Alderman Michael Zalewski, Mayor Daley's handpicked choice for City Council president pro-tempore, suggested that the city could save $1 million annually if City Council consolidated its 19 committee chairs.

Zalewski said that, with a new mayor and at least seven new aldermen being elected next year to replace aldermen that are retiring or moving to new jobs, their committees could be eliminated or consolidated into larger committees. Zalewski also suggested further consolidation could occur if some incumbents lose their seats. So far, the departing aldermen with committee chairs include Environment Committee Chairman Ginger Rugai (19th); Transportation Committee Chairman Tom Allen (38th); Human Relations Committee Chairman Helen Shiller (46th) and Parks and Recreation Committee Chairman Mary Ann Smith (48th). Zalewski himself serves on five committees: Aviation; Budget and Government Operations; Committees, Rules and Ethics; Energy, Environmental Protection and Public Utilities; Finance; and License and Consumer Protection.

"The time has come for the City Council to start sharing in some of the sacrifice that every other city employee and department is making," Zalewski said. Taxpayer money accounts for $4.7 million for the 19 committees and $19.5 million to maintain the 50 aldermen in City Council.

Some might ask, "why does Chicago even need 50 aldermen?" At least Zalewski's proposal is a start.