Representative Sandack Tries to Halt Automatic Legislator Pay Raises During Budget Crisis

State Representative Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove) led a House Republican effort today to block automatic pay raises that members of the General Assembly are set to receive next week.

In May, House Republicans filed HB4225, which would prohibit automatic cost-of-living-adjustments for lawmakers in FY16. The bill was stuffed in the House Rules Committee and never scheduled for a hearing.

Pointing to a House procedural rule that allows for bills to be removed from the Rules Committee and brought directly to the House Floor for debate, Sandack said it is unconscionable for legislators to even consider taking a pay raise during the current budget impasse. “We’re in the midst of a budget crisis and we need to let Illinoisans know that we take their problems seriously and that we are willing to share in the sacrifice,” said Sandack. “The original bill that provides for automatic cost-of-living-adjustments on top of guaranteed salaries for legislators was pushed through solely by Democrats and it appears they are going to ensure they get their raises in spite of this budget gridlock. It’s appalling.”

In comments made during his motion to release HB4225 from the Rules Committee, Sandack asked Speaker Madigan to show some fiscal responsibility and allow lawmakers to reject raises while the budget crisis continues. “Unfortunately, the Speaker and his colleagues on the left side of the aisle wouldn’t even let the bill out of committee so we could have a hearing on the propriety of a raise amid this budget impasse,” Sandack added.