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 As Illinoisans are watching their taxes go up, the state
lawmakers who made it happen are taking home raises.
A doubling of the state’s gas tax took effect July 1, the same day lawmakers
received a $1,600 cost-of-living increase as part of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s record
$40 billion budget.
The budget raised state lawmakers’ base salary from $67,836 to $69,464, an
increase of 2.4%.
Even prior to that salary spike, Illinois state lawmakers were
taking home the fourth-highest salary in the nation, adjusted for cost of
living.
 The Illinois General Assembly collects the highest salary among those not
considered “full-time,” and higher than New York’s full-time legislature, when
accounting for differences in cost of living.
The National Conference of State Legislatures classifies Illinois as “full-time
lite,” meaning they serve smaller districts and work shorter sessions than
full-time lawmakers, but are highly paid, employ large staffs and perform
legislative work for at least 80% of their jobs. Lawmakers are in session for
about 70 days a year.
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In addition to their base salary, state lawmakers in Illinois can
receive $10,000 committee chairmanship stipends, per diems, mileage
reimbursements and other perks. Those leadership stipends also
spiked by 2.4% under the new state budget.
States where lawmakers make more than Illinois – California,
Pennsylvania and Michigan – all have full-time legislatures.
While it’s true lawmakers had “frozen” their annual pay raises each
year since 2009, it is irresponsible to accept pay hikes when the
state remains deeply in debt. Illinois still faces a structural
budget deficit, massive pension debt and billions in unpaid bills.
As they brace for 21 new or higher taxes and fees, Illinois’
overburdened taxpayers are justified in their frustration with a
Statehouse that rewards itself while demanding more of them.
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