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Illinois' 177 lawmakers are paid $111 in per diem expenses and 39
cents per mile for any extra session day when legislators are called
back to the state Capitol after the fall veto session.
There have been three such days this year:
Multiplying 177 lawmakers by $111 plus mileage puts the cost of
each extra session day between $20,000 and $30,000. Illinois
lawmakers also collect a base salary of nearly $68,000 a year.
Brad Hahn, a spokesman for the Illinois comptroller's office,
said the state has so far paid only the House for Nov. 29. The total
was $26,587.85 for $12,543 in per diem expenses and $14,044.85 for
mileage. Only 113 of 118 state representatives attended the Nov. 29
session.
Hahn said Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka has not paid the Senate
for that day.
However, per diem and mileage are not the only costs to
taxpayers. When lawmakers are in session, there are added costs for
state workers, legislative staff members mainly, to come to the
Capitol. And the House and Senate add extra security for their
respective chambers.
But the extra session days are not special session days. The
Legislature must be called into special session by legislative or
gubernatorial proclamation. The extra session days are simply added
to the legislative calendar by the legislative leaders. It is
unclear what the cost difference is between the special session and
extra session days.
State Rep. Pat Verschoore, D-Milan, said lawmakers needed these
additional days to finalize measures that provide tax breaks for
Sears Corp. and the CME Group, which runs the Chicago Board of
Exchange, as well as individual households.
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Verschoore added that taxpayers are getting a better deal by
having extra session days, because a full-time, year-round
Legislature would be more costly.
"I can't see lawmakers being in Springfield every day,"
Verschoore said.
But state Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, said, "It feels like
we're part time in name only. I work every day, whether we're in
Springfield or not."
State Rep Jack Franks, D-Woodstock, said taxpayers are getting a
bargain with a part-time Legislature, even with a few extra days
here and there.
"If Illinois was to become full time, you'd have to pay more,"
Franks said. "Lawmakers would expect higher pay, if this was their
only job."
Illinois lawmakers earn a base salary of $67,836 per year.
"Democracy isn't cheap or easy," Franks said.
Lawmakers are not scheduled to return for a session until Jan 31.
[Illinois
Statehouse News; By BENJAMIN YOUNT]
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