Illinois lawmaker salaries rise 34% faster than their constituents’ paychecks under Pritzker

Gov. J.B. Pritzker and state lawmakers have increased lawmaker pay while approving budgets that raised taxes on Illinoisans.

Lawmakers’ pay has grown much faster than the average Illinois salary during Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s time in office.

Since 2019, the base salary for members of the General Assembly has risen 44.9%, to $98,304 in 2026.

In the same period, the average Illinois salary rose 33.7%, to about $79,779.

That base salary for lawmakers is set to rise to six figures under the newly enacted fiscal 2027 budget and doesn’t include the additional compensation they get for leadership positions and per diems for items such as lodging.

Pritzker signed the record-high $55.9 billion budget that included more than $800 million in business tax increases and rise to lawmakers.

While lawmaker compensation climbs, voters’ priorities are tossed aside

Illinoisans have made clear what they want state leaders to address.

A recent poll found high taxes were the top concern among Illinois voters, with 52.8% choosing it as one of the biggest issues facing the state. The economy ranked second, with about 41% naming it a top one or two issue out of seven.

Those concerns should guide budget decisions in Springfield. Instead, lawmakers approved another record budget that raised their own pay.

That sends the wrong message to taxpayers already struggling with affordability. Their substantial pay growth comes as the state continues to face outmigration, typically to states with lower taxes.

Taxpayers deserve accountability

Competitive salaries can help attract qualified public servants, but the pay should reflect the economic realities facing the people lawmakers represent.

Legislative compensation changes often get little public attention despite their long-term cost to taxpayers. The growth in Illinois lawmaker pay mirrors a broader trend of expanding state spending, which has reached successive record highs in recent budgets.

Any discussion of legislative pay should occur alongside measurable improvements in the state’s affordability, economic growth and financial outlook.