Ill. panel forwards bill that blocks elected officials' pay raises

[May 07, 2009]  SPRINGFIELD (AP) -- A panel of lawmakers has voted to send to the full Illinois House legislation that would block an automatic cost-of-living pay raise for elected officials.

The raise amounts to a roughly 2.7 percent increase and is scheduled to go into effect this summer. The State Government Administration Committee on Wednesday voted 14-0 to send the bill to the full House.

The legislation is sponsored by House Speaker Michael Madigan. The Democrat's bill would also eliminate a state pay review board and require lawmakers to take unpaid days off.

Republicans have tried to block the automatic pay raises with their own bill, but it was held up by Democrats.

[Associated Press]

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