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

Automatic state worker pay hikes, gas tax hike coming to Illinois July 1

By Brad Weisenstein

06/25/2020

How fair is it that some of the highest-paid state employees in the nation are getting a raise that must be funded by an economically wounded bunch of taxpayers?

TAGS: COVID-19, gas tax, government unions, lawmaker pay, unemployment

62 former state lawmakers receiving more than $100K pensions

By Ben Szalinski

06/05/2020

Illinois’ broken pension system puts $100,000 a year or more into the hands of 62 former state lawmakers. It has paid more than $1 million to 94 of them.

TAGS: Arthur L. Berman, Barbara Flynn Currie, GARS: General Assembly Retirement System, Jim Edgar, lawmaker pay, Lou Lang, Pat Quinn, pensions

Why Illinois state lawmakers are still in line for an $1,800 pay raise

By Austin Berg

05/28/2020

Illinois lawmakers are still likely to receive a $1,800 pay raise. But some have tried their best to make no waves by giving themselves cover from backlash.

TAGS: lawmaker pay

Illinois budget includes automatic $1,800 pay raise for state lawmakers

By Austin Berg

05/22/2020

With more than 1.1 million Illinoisans out of work, some of the highest-paid state lawmakers in the nation are in line for a raise – though some are fighting back.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, lawmaker pay

Proposal would cut pay for Chicago politicians to fund coronavirus response

By Austin Berg

03/24/2020

One Chicago alderman is calling for the city’s 53 elected officials to forfeit their six-figure salaries for 15 days.

TAGS: Chicago, coronavirus, COVID-19, lawmaker pay, Ray Lopez

Work one day, get paid for whole month could end for Illinois lawmakers

By Ben Szalinski

02/04/2020

Illinois lawmakers are currently paid for the entire month, even if they resign before the end of it. A new bill could change that.

TAGS: bribery, Christina Castro, corruption, good government, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, lawmaker pay, Luis Arroyo, Mike Murphy, Monica Bristow, Springfield

Bill would stop Pritzker from paying state workers on the side

By Brad Weisenstein

01/12/2020

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has used his private fortune to pay $3 million in state expenses, including boosting salaries of 16 top staffers. Some lawmakers want the ‘unethical’ practice to stop.

TAGS: bipartisan, conflict of interest, corruption, fair maps, house rules, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, Illinois Constitution, independent maps, JB Pritzker, lawmaker pay, lawmakers, Legislative Inspector General, legislative map, lobbying, revolving door, Smart Scale, Springfield, watchdog

Bill aims to pay Illinois lawmakers only for days they actually work

By Ben Szalinski

11/15/2019

Lawmakers can currently work one day to qualify for a whole month’s pay. A bill to change that has been stuck in committee since the spring.

TAGS: COLA: cost of living adjustment, house rules, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, lawmaker pay, Luis Arroyo, Mike Murphy, rules committee, Sarah Jimenez, Springfield