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.

A group of state representatives has filed a lawsuit against Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger.

Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger wants to tie politicians’ pay to a balanced budget.

State Rep. Robert Martwick, D-Chicago, criticized payment delays for Illinois politicians, despite the fact that his compensation cost taxpayers nearly $100,000 in 2015.

Illinois lawmakers earn base salaries of nearly $68,000 for what is essentially part-time work.