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State lawmaker incomes grow at double rate of Illinoisans’ incomes

By Bryce Hill
01/17/2023
State lawmakers have voted to increase their salaries by more than $17,000 during Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration, far outpacing growth in their constituent’s incomes.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, lawmaker pay

Illinois lawmaker pay 4th-highest in U.S. after Pritzker OKs $12,000 raises

By Bryce Hill
01/13/2023
State lawmaker pay has increased by more than $17,000 during Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration. State representatives and senators make the most for jobs considered less than full time, 4th in U.S. overall.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, lawmaker pay

Pritzker signs bill giving $12K pay raises to state lawmakers

By Brad Weisenstein
01/09/2023
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker approved raises for the statewide elected leaders just ahead of their inaugurations Jan. 9. State lawmakers will get $12,094 raises when they take office Jan. 11. Big hikes also went to Pritzker’s department leaders and their assistants.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, lawmaker pay

Illinois House sneaks through $12,000 pay raises for themselves

By Brad Weisenstein
01/07/2023
A late Friday-night move would add nearly $12,000 to the salary of each state lawmaker, raise salaries for statewide elected leaders such as the governor, and boost salaries for agency directors and their subordinates. Plus, they get cost-of-living increases.

TAGS: Illinois House of Representatives, lawmaker pay

Cook County board gives itself 10% raise, automatic future pay increases

By Francesco Rahe, Patrick Andriesen
06/03/2022
The Cook County Board of Commissioners voted May 24 to increase its members’ salaries 10% in December, followed by automatic annual pay increases each year up to 3%. Civic groups say the perpetual pay hikes pose future concern.

TAGS: Cook County Board, lawmaker pay

Illinois lawmakers increase salaries to 4th highest in U.S.

By Patrick Andriesen
04/20/2022
Springfield lawmakers will be the fourth-highest paid legislators in the nation after giving themselves a $2,700 raise in the 2023 state budget. Lawmakers’ salaries have increased 8% since Gov. J.B. Pritzker took office.

TAGS: Illinois, lawmaker pay

Exelon lobbyist pushes $14.4 million payday for Springfield lawmakers

By Patrick Andriesen
06/15/2021
The Illinois General Assembly voted for a decade to eliminate annual cost-of-living adjustments for lawmaker salaries after the Great Recession. Now, former state lawmakers are suing the state to put that money right back into politicians’ pockets.

TAGS: Exelon, lawmaker pay, lobbying

Illinois lawmakers give themselves $1,200 raise, double office budgets

By Adam Schuster
06/04/2021
The fiscal year 2022 budget includes pay hikes for members of the Illinois General Assembly, who were already among the nation’s highest-paid state lawmakers. It also boosts office allowances and leader stipends.

TAGS: budget, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, JB Pritzker, lawmaker pay

Judge says taxpayers owe 2 Illinois senators who voted to reject raises

By Brad Weisenstein
04/12/2021
Judge rules in favor of two former state senators seeking the back pay they rejected and then crowed about rejecting. Ruling applies only to the pair.

TAGS: Illinois, Illinois Comptroller, lawmaker pay

Madison County voters asked about Illinois lawmaker raises, double dipping

By Joe Tabor
11/02/2020
Two advisory ballot initiatives will ask Madison County voters about automatic raises for lawmakers and public worker double dipping.

TAGS: ballot referendums, lawmaker pay, Madison County, pensions

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Pensions / Research Report

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective


Illinois is home to one of the worst pension crises in the country.1 At 39% funded, according to the nonpartisan Pew Charitable Trusts, Illinois has the worst pension funding ratio of any state.2 By contrast, neighboring Wisconsin’s pension system is 103% funded.3 In fiscal year 2022, Illinois’ total gen­eral funds pension costs, includ­ing pension bond...

View Report

Report Archive

Jobs + Growth / Your Story

Cathy Stuehmeier

Labor / Policy Point

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

By Paul Kersey
06/19/2014
Illinois Policy In the News

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students

By Ted Dabrowski
05/02/2016

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