House Bill 4273 would eliminate a loophole in state law that allows lawmakers to receive a month's pay for a day of work.

The cost of getting lawmakers to Springfield alone will run taxpayers $21,000 per day.

Former state Sen. Michael Noland is suing for back pay after the General Assembly nixed cost-of-living adjustments and forced furlough days.

House members have spent as much time playing softball and basketball as they have in session since the beginning of May.

Illinois hasn’t had a budget in two years. And it’s been more than 15 years since the state had a balanced budget. But lawmakers – who are currently on a two-week spring break – continue to be paid.

Rank-and-file lawmakers have received paychecks of more than $50,800.

State Sen. Dan McConchie, R-Hawthorne Woods, filed legislation March 23 that would give the Illinois Comptroller’s office discretion to delay payments to lawmakers if insufficient funding exists to do so. This came just hours after a Cook County judge said lawmakers must be paid.

Judge Garcia points to the lack of a budget as reason enough to delay payments to legislators.

Attempts to cut off state worker pay need not end in a tax hike.