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Question of the day

Thursday, Jul 23, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Should the General Assembly vote to repeal its cost of living increase? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.


web survey

       

36 Comments
  1. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:07 pm:

    I wouldn’t consider it until the Turnaround Agenda is passed…

    … but that’s me.

    (Snark, not a vote)


  2. - Precinct Captain - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:07 pm:

    Yes, if only to take away a Rauner talking point.


  3. - Anonin' - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:11 pm:

    We voted “no” cause it is such a hoot watchin’ the Bobblehead whine about $1,000.


  4. - walker - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:12 pm:

    Yes. Good politics. Some Reps have figured out how not to pocket it anyway.


  5. - Anonymous - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:12 pm:

    The self-serving legislation that gives automatic pay raises unless the GA votes NO is insane. It took away the accountability of having to vote for future pay raises and let the voters see their actions.
    I doubt that new union contracts will have much if any room for pay raises. What makes the GA so entitled?
    I vote NO


  6. - Anonymous - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:13 pm:

    The self-serving legislation that gives automatic pay raises unless the GA votes NO is insane. It took away the accountability of having to vote for future pay raises and let the voters see their actions.
    I doubt that new union contracts will have much if any room for pay raises. What makes the GA so entitled?
    I vote YES to stop the pay raise.


  7. - 47th Ward - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:14 pm:

    Yes. One of my favorite rules of politics is “never give your opponent a stick to hit you with.” The General Assembly can take Rauner’s stick away with one quick vote.

    On the other hand, it won’t be too difficult for Rauner to find another stick…

    I’ll stick with yes, because in this case, it’s also the right thing to do.


  8. - Anon - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:15 pm:

    No. This is a silly thing to be angry about and the law has been drafted the way it is because of past tom-foolery.

    Legislators should receive cost of living increases in order to make being a legislator an option for someone who lacks outside income.


  9. - Qui Tam - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:16 pm:

    No. If the cost of living has gone up, they should get a raise. Most legislators are probably categorized as middle-class.
    The fact that everyone take economic hits to appease the 1%’rs and their supporters hasn’t worked for the middle class.


  10. - K - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:19 pm:

    I say YES, because the “they don’t get paid much since it’s a part time job” angle is absolute BS - they make more money than most full-time workers do without the raise. And sure, they’re working overtime right now, but it is not Illinois taxpayers who made that happen.


  11. - Tony - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:20 pm:

    Let them keep it. But only after all consumer goods,services, taxes and health care costs are frozen in place for the taxpaying citizens of Illinois. I’d support and vote for that turnaround agenda.


  12. - Facts are Stubborn Things - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:23 pm:

    The majority of the legislature tried to illegally, and in clear violation of the ISC take away my pension AAI so I say no COLA….we just don’t have the money and we all have to do our part in an effort to balance the needs and demands of everyone — snark.


  13. - 100 Miles West - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:26 pm:

    Inflation always wins. Let them have their COLA. The total cost is less than a lot of superstar salaries.


  14. - Cindy Lou - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:30 pm:

    I don’t remember how many self imposed furloughs over the last five fiscal years, nor whether they have taken any increases .

    Regardless, Rainer’s ‘Stars’ have increases over the previous people in the same and/equivalent title/position…why does Rauner tell the citizens why ‘his’ staff should be ’special’. If there’s no money, there is no money.


  15. - downstate commissioner - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:31 pm:

    didn’t vote- see arguments on both sides-doesn’t really matter to me.


  16. - Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:32 pm:

    Voted no. I don’t let personal jealousy turn into societal envy.


  17. - Leading InDecatur - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:33 pm:

    I vote no. Let them keep it and spend it, support a local business, leave a better tip to their waitress, buy flowers at a local florist, see a local band or theater production.

    The economy is an ecosystem and money is the energy and food that moves through it. Bringing someone down, doesn’t raise me up.


  18. - Norseman - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:33 pm:

    As I understand it, they’re too late. Once given, they cannot be constitutionally taken away.


  19. - @MisterJayEm - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:43 pm:

    Yes. As 47th Ward said, “Never give your opponent a stick to hit you with.”

    – MrJM


  20. - Cheryl44 - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:47 pm:

    Yes, because of the stick thing too.


  21. - burbanite - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:50 pm:

    Yes, b/c it just looks good and can’t be used by the gov. anymore.


  22. - Juice - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:54 pm:

    Yes, but it should be combined with the property tax freeze. Then we can all watch as Sandack’s head explodes.


  23. - Keyser Soze - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:56 pm:

    Yes. Most of we private sector people haven’t had a raise in years. Inflation has flat-lined.


  24. - VanillaMan - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 2:07 pm:

    Yes.
    Either voluntarily, or Rauner will gleefully do it.


  25. - SAP - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 2:11 pm:

    No, until they amend the Constitution, it is just window dressing. Better play to make a big show of donating the raise to charity.


  26. - Wensicia - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 2:12 pm:

    Yes, in solidarity with AFSCME, as Rauner is refusing any wage increases over the length of their next contract.


  27. - Anonymous - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 2:14 pm:

    Nope, are the Retirees giving there’s back?


  28. - Nick Danger - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 2:14 pm:

    Yes, anything less is hypocritical.


  29. - A guy - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 2:18 pm:

    It’s only a symbol, but it’d sure be a good one to send right now. I say Yes.
    Oddly, giving up the raise would offer some cover for taking the salary during a shutdown.


  30. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 2:38 pm:

    (Sigh)

    Voted “Yes”

    “Why?”

    For all the wrong reasons - appearances and political motivations and symbolism.

    It has zero to do with anything in governing or moving anything or any one thing forward.

    “Now what?”


  31. - Hoping for Rational Thought - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 2:38 pm:

    Yes. If they think an increase is appropriate and in the public interest then they should have to take positive vote to make it happen. Automatic unless they vote it down? That’s courageous. Many people don’t have the luxury of getting an automatic COLA. I remember several years of zero increase as a merit-comp employee for the state. Yeah the felon Blago. Just for that relating to yesterday not only should his sentence be shorten, judge should add a few more years.

    http://stump.marypat.org/article/310/illinois-finances-watch-places-to-cut


  32. - Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 3:25 pm:

    Voted “no”

    ==Legislators should receive cost of living increases in order to make being a legislator an option for someone who lacks outside income==

    If we want decent, qualified people to run, we need to pay a somewhat competitive wage. Some of the best legislators do this full-time.


  33. - Strangerthings - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 3:55 pm:

    Definitely a yes vote. He who does not work does not est. Or in this case he who does not accomplish anything meaningful should not get paid for it much less get a raise.


  34. - Mama - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 4:45 pm:

    I voted ‘No’ for the same reason Pot calling kettle stated
    “If we want decent, qualified people to run, we need to pay a somewhat competitive wage. Some of the best legislators do this full-time. “


  35. - dupage dan - Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 4:56 pm:

    Perceptions. It’s all about perceptions.


  36. - web design arlington tx - Wednesday, Jul 29, 15 @ 10:55 am:

    Hiya, purely changed to alert to ones site by using Search engines, found it is seriously useful. I am going to look out for brussels. We’ll appreciate in case you go on that in future. Many people will likely be reaped the benefit from your crafting. Kind regards!


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


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