“At the end of the day, it’s simply a matter of keeping faith with my convictions and my community,” explained Chicago’s 36th Ward Alderman William J.P. Banks.  “When the 2007 Aldermanic pay raise first became an issue before the City Council, I voiced my opposition to it.  When the 2007 Aldermanic pay raise came up for a vote by the City Council, I voted against it.”

“When the rest of the City Council approved the 2007 pay raise, I stated that I would not accept the increase myself but would donate it to the schools in my Ward.   Now that the 2007 Aldermanic pay raise is a reality, I am simply doing what I said I would do. That money is going to the schools in the 36th Ward,” Alderman Banks concluded.

Alderman Banks stated his objection to the proposed Aldermanic pay raise in 2006 when the matter first came up in Chicago’s City Council.  The pay raise became an issue in the most recent Chicago Aldermanic election held on 27 February 2007 after it was approved by a majority of the other Aldermen. 

Banks voted against the pay increase and pledged not to accept it but rather to donate it to the 36th Ward’s schools. 

Recipient schools were randomly chosen as their special situations became apparent.