Rep. Brady: Vote to reject pay raise a ‘no-brainer’

Dan Brady
State Rep. Dan Brady says the vote by House lawmakers to reject an automatic cost-of-living adjustment was ‘nothing to write home about.’ (WJBC file photo)

By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – State Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, said the bill to reject lawmakers pay raises should be a ‘no-brainer.’

Brady told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin even though it only makes a minor dent in the state’s budget deficit, he says it sends the right message.

“It’s symbolic from the standpoint you don’t ask other people to do things you’re not willing to do yourself,” Brady said.

PODCAST: Listen to Brady’s interview with Scott and Colleen on WJBC.

He noted House Republicans pushed a similar bill last month to counter a Democrat-passed measure last year that ensured lawmakers would be paid in the event of a government shutdown while many other state employees wouldn’t.

Brady wondered why eliminating the pay raises too so long to get done.

“It should have been a no-brainer, absolutely, unequivocally no,” Brady exclaimed.

The measure passed the Illinois House nearly unanimously on Tuesday and awaits a vote in the Senate next week.

Utility bills

Brady’s office is hosting a free clinic to help people save on their energy bills. Brady said customers can bring their utility bills to the Normal Public Library on August 25th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and meet with a Citizens Utility Board representative to analyze their bills and see where they could cut costs.

Brady asked that you preregister by calling CUB at (312) 263-7872.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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