Posted by John Byrne at 11:39 a.m.
Mayor Richard Daley suggested Police Supt. Jody Weis should consider taking a pay cut as public negotiations of a new contract for Chicago’s top cop continued today.
"I think it would be up to him, sure, if he’s willing to do it. Sure, everybody should do it," said Daley when asked whether Weis should accept less than the roughly
$310,000 he now gets.
Weis said Tuesday that he is open to talking about a pay cut as part of negotiations to extend his
three-year deal that expires next March.
The mayor said all public officials need to accept less in light of
ongoing economic troubles.
"I don’t think that’s (Weis) alone, I think it’s important that
everybody sacrifice, for the people of our city, our state and our
nation," said Daley, whose mayoral income has dropped due to unpaid days off that are part of budget-cutting moves. The mayor’s salary is set by law.
"If you don’t, then people are living in a different world, they don’t
realize that people are suffering," Daley said at a news conference
about a school health pilot program at Reavis Elementary School on the
800 block of East 50th Street.