Mazzochi Donates Pay Raise to People’s Resource Center

Westmont…Illinois law automatically grants lawmakers a guaranteed cost of living adjustment (COLA); and this appeared in the Fiscal Year 2020 budget.

Rather than keep any pay raise, State Representative Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) recently announced she would donate the excess to non-profit organizations in the 47th District each quarter. Mazzochi previously rejected the General Assembly’s legislative pension and health care benefits on offer, because “state pension plans remain woefully underfunded, and it is hard to get consensus for real reform when legislators have that conflict of interest.”

The Illinois State Constitution prohibits changing a legislator’s pay during the term they serve; thus, pay changes must be done a term in advance. Democrat lawmakers blocked Republican-sponsored legislation to reject the COLAs for the current 101st General Assembly’s term.

Mazzochi’s first donation was to the People’s Resource Center (PRC) in Westmont. “Westmont’s People’s Resource Center may have lean staffing, but they and their army of volunteers are rich with generosity for our community. They truly reflect the spirit of neighbor helping neighbor, and paying it forward, whether we look at their food pantry; educational programming; mental health efforts, or job assistance. I am glad to support this wonderful charity and the good work that they do for our community,” said Mazzochi.

Mazzochi also noted that the PRC is in frequent need of disposable diapers, particularly for older infants. “These can cost a family close to $1,000 per year. If you have any extras in your home you are willing to donate, this is a simple way to help families facing financial difficulties.” Donations can be dropped off at Mazzochi’s district office at 1 S Cass Avenue in Westmont between 9:30am - 4:30pm; or call Mazzochi’s office for after-hours pickup, and they will be delivered to the Center.

People’s Resource Center is a 501(c)(3) organization that serves over 8,000 struggling families and 27,000 individuals in DuPage County annually. They provide an array of services to the community through their food pantry, clothes closet, job assistance program, and computer training.

To learn more about PRC, visit their website at http://www.peoplesrc.org/. Any questions about diaper donations can be directed to Rep. Mazzochi’s Office at (630) 852-8633 or by emailing mazzochi@ilhousegop.org.