Chicago puts employee salary data on website

New Mayor Rahm Emanuel promised a more transparent government when he took over Chicago City Hall.

On Wednesday, his administration put the names and salaries of city employees online.

Emanuel and his $216,000 salary are on the list. So are transportation department “asphalt helpers” paid more than $73,000. That’s a heftier salary than some fire department paramedics who are paid $64,000.

City salaries have long been public information, but typically organizations have to request to see them.

Emanuel said putting the information on the Web is part of his promise of “open, accountable and transparent government.”

The salary list includes $81,000 for a “water rate taker” in the water department, $96,000 for a civil engineer, nearly $68,000 for a police officer and $70,000 for a truck driver.