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Opposed to salary increases or government officials I voted
Nov. 16 against a salary increase for government officials. However,
the Senate failed to approve the resolution that was needed to
reject the salary increases recommended by the state's Compensation
Review Board, which will cost the state more than $5.1 million
annually.
House Joint Resolution 121 rejects the 2006 report of the
Compensation Review Board, which would give all members of the
legislative and executive branch their fiscal 2003, 2004 and 2005
cost of living adjustments, which would cost the state approximately
$3.5 million.
The Compensation Review Board report also recommends that state's
attorneys receive their fiscal 2003 cost of living adjustments,
which would cost the state approximately $514,000, and that the
salary level of associate judges increase to 95 percent of the
salary of circuit judges, which would cost the state approximately
$1.1 million.
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The Compensation Review Board reviews salaries of lawmakers,
constitutional officers and top state officials and submits a report
recommending salary increases. The board's recommendations go into
effect unless both the Senate and House of Representatives vote to
reject them. The House of Representatives voted April 25 to reject
the salary increases.
Senate approves hike in minimum wage
On Nov. 15, the Democrat-dominated Illinois Senate approved a $1
hike in the hourly minimum wage to $7.50 an hour. The vote on
Senate Bill 1275, 33-21-3, was along party lines, with
Republican Senators opposing the increase and voicing concerns about
making it costlier for struggling Illinois businesses to employ
teens and part-time workers, the largest group of minimum wage
earners.
The measure now heads to the Illinois House, where there have
been questions about whether or not the issue will be addressed
during the final week of the fall veto session, at the end of the
month. Even if approved, the higher rate won't take effect until
July 1, 2007.
[Column from
Sen. Bill Brady] |
