9/18/26: 23% Raises While Milwaukee Struggles: Who Is the Common Council Really Serving?

We take a closer look at Milwaukee elected officials potentially giving themselves a 23% pay raise over the next five years while residents continue struggling with rising taxes, fees, housing costs, and everyday expenses. Milwaukee Common Council members currently earn approximately $84,206 per year, while the Common Council president earns about $94,311. Milwaukee’s mayor earns approximately $169,436 annually. A 23% increase would push those salaries to roughly $103,573 for alderpersons and more than $208,000 for the mayor. Kyle asks whether these proposed raises are justified, whether city leaders are properly prioritizing taxpayers, and how Milwaukee residents are expected to accept higher costs while elected officials increase their own compensation.