Illinois Senate shoots down annual pay raises

Posted on August 5, 2015

Illinois Capitol in Springfield. (WJBC file photo )

By Alex Degman/Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – The state Senate has voted to forgo annual pay raises, but as expected, there was some dissent.

The state will save about $240,000 by freezing per diem and mileage reimbursement rates for lawmakers and top state officials, as well as cancelling the annual 2 percent cost of living adjustment.

State Senator Emil Jones (D-Chicago) says he works hard for his constituents – he should be paid for it.

“Me and Sen. Lightford (have) been fighting, basically since I’ve been here, to increase the minimum wage,” Jones says. “It’s not like we’re not fighting for others to get raises or increases, we’re fighting for all.”

Jones says the thousands of dollars saved doesn’t come close to solving the state’s budget problems.

The measure now goes to the governor.

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