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 "Once you open the doors, anything could happen," said state Rep.
Kevin McCarthy, D-Orland Park.
Lawmakers are returning to reauthorize Illinois' $31 billion
construction plan. The state Senate tried to tie the road, bridge
and school construction package to $430 million in new spending on
education and human services, but that move failed to find support
among Gov. Pat Quinn and other legislative leaders.
The return to Springfield is for regular session, not special
session. Illinois lawmakers will not be paid for their return. Had
Quinn called a special session, it would have cost taxpayers nearly
$50,000 a day with all lawmakers in attendance.
McCarthy said he expects lawmakers to vote on a few issues that have
been lingering since the end of the spring session in May.
Legislative pay
Illinois lawmakers are expected to vote to cut their own pay and
accept 12 furlough days. It would be the third consecutive year that
lawmakers have approved a pay reduction.
"I (am) not complaining, but I am coming to Springfield on my own
dime to cut my pay again," said state Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East
Moline. "Even after the last time I cut my pay, nobody back home has
said 'great job.'"
State Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, agrees that voting for the
pay cuts and furlough days is as much about perception as it is
about saving taxpayers' money.
"It's more symbolic to me. If you are going to ask public employees
to take furlough days, then the General Assembly should be doing the
same thing," Bomke said.
Illinois lawmakers earn a base salary of nearly $68,000 a year.
Bomke said the legislative pay cut could save about $500,000 next
year. Illinois' deficit is close to $9 billion.
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Union restrictions
Quinn is ready to try again with legislation that would limit union
participation for a number of midlevel employees and managers at
some state agencies.
He said Monday that he is still pro-union, but he wants to have the
power to manage his administration.
"I fervently support the right to bargain, the right to form a
union," said Quinn. "But at the same time, there have to be some
positions in government that are management positions."
Quinn said he wants to draw a "reasonable line" that would set
limits on union membership.
According to the governor's office, 95 percent of the state
employees are union members.
[Illinois
Statehouse News; By BENJAMIN YOUNT]
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