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Illinois

* 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

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:05 pm

Comments

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

… but that’s me.

(Snark, not a vote)

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:07 pm
Yes, if only to take away a Rauner talking point.

Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:07 pm
We voted “no” cause it is such a hoot watchin’ the Bobblehead whine about $1,000.

Comment by Anonin' Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:11 pm
Yes. Good politics. Some Reps have figured out how not to pocket it anyway.

Comment by walker 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

Comment by 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 YES to stop the pay raise.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:13 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.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:14 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.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:15 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.

Comment by Qui Tam Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:16 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.

Comment by K Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:19 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.

Comment by Tony Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:20 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.

Comment by Facts are Stubborn Things Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:23 pm
Inflation always wins. Let them have their COLA. The total cost is less than a lot of superstar salaries.

Comment by 100 Miles West Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:26 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.

Comment by Cindy Lou Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:30 pm
didn’t vote- see arguments on both sides-doesn’t really matter to me.

Comment by downstate commissioner Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:31 pm
Voted no. I don’t let personal jealousy turn into societal envy.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:32 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.

Comment by Leading InDecatur Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:33 pm
As I understand it, they’re too late. Once given, they cannot be constitutionally taken away.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:33 pm
Yes. As 47th Ward said, “Never give your opponent a stick to hit you with.”

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:43 pm
Yes, because of the stick thing too.

Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:47 pm
Yes, b/c it just looks good and can’t be used by the gov. anymore.

Comment by burbanite Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:50 pm
Yes, but it should be combined with the property tax freeze. Then we can all watch as Sandack’s head explodes.

Comment by Juice Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:54 pm
Yes. Most of we private sector people haven’t had a raise in years. Inflation has flat-lined.

Comment by Keyser Soze Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 1:56 pm
Yes.
Either voluntarily, or Rauner will gleefully do it.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 2:07 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.

Comment by SAP Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 2:11 pm
Yes, in solidarity with AFSCME, as Rauner is refusing any wage increases over the length of their next contract.

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 2:12 pm
Nope, are the Retirees giving there’s back?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 2:14 pm
Yes, anything less is hypocritical.

Comment by Nick Danger Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 2:14 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.

Comment by A guy Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 2:18 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?”

Comment by Oswego Willy 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

Comment by Hoping for Rational Thought Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 2:38 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.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 3:25 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.

Comment by Strangerthings Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 3:55 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. “

Comment by Mama Thursday, Jul 23, 15 @ 4:45 pm
Perceptions. It’s all about perceptions.

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