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* Center Square…

An Illinois lawmaker has filed legislation that would allow legislators to turn down any new salary increases after he saw the backlash over the raise they voted themselves in June coinciding with a number of tax hikes, including a doubling of the state’s gas tax.

Rep. Maurice West, a Democrat from Rockford, says accepting a raise while taking more money from constituents sends the wrong message.

“This is the time that we should focus on ensuring that funds spent are for the benefit of the people that we represent, not ourselves,” he said. “Now is the wrong time and timing is everything.”

His legislation would allow lawmakers to opt-out of their annual cost-of-living increase, sending it to pay down the state’s pension debt instead. State law currently says lawmakers have to accept those pay hikes.

Turning away the pay hike is all the more important, West said, since his district consists of blue-collar workers who are going to feel the effects of things like the doubling of the state’s motor fuel tax to 38 cents a gallon, which he voted for.

* But one member didn’t wait for a law…

Illinois lawmakers are getting the bigger paychecks they voted for themselves in June, but one state representative has sent his back to the state’s coffers.

Illinois lawmakers have received their cost-of-living adjustments that were included in a fiscal year 2019 budget bill.

State Rep. David McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills, worked with Comptroller Susana Mendoza to have his raise returned to the state. […]

It’s not legal for lawmakers or constitutional officers to outright refuse their pay. McSweeney said he had been working with Mendoza’s office on sending the raise that he objected to back into the state’s coffers.

“The law says ‘should’ so you have to actually take it,” McSweeney said. […]

“The state’s coffers are happy to accept any little bit of help folks can spare so if anyone wants to donate their cost-of-living adjustment back to the General Revenue Fund, we will be happy to work with them on it,” said Abdon Pallasch, spokesman for Comptroller Susana Mendoza.

No other state lawmakers have inquired about returning raises, Pallasch said.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:28 am

Comments

The last Republican “rich guy” who “didn’t want no salary” or increase was hurtful and dangerous for Illinois as Governor.

I guess McSweeney wants that comparison?

Rich guy, not needing money, saying he’s doing it for the state, while trying to unilaterally destroy the programs and agencies of Illinois?

Ok. His choice I guess

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:37 am
Ah the perfect blend of Virtue Signaling and perfidy.
Ugh…
Where to even start…
Legislators deserve to be paid well and fairly.
If I were a legislator this would be the salary I live off of. I am not independently wealthy.
By virtue signaling like this one perfidiously presents that taxpayers come first. When in fact one is supporting the one percents’ contention that the true greedy are the 99%, those who “take” social welfare benefits etc. Farm subsidies, corporate welfare, and tax cuts for the wealthy
Are the true problem
creating loss of revenue
to help and support the 99%.
To give back salary
to me
is a garish display of privilege
and a backhanded slap
at less fortunate legislators
who live off their
fairly earned salary.
STOP you privileged schmo

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:40 am
McSweeney gives his money back to the state, so it can be spent elsewhere, so he can criticize the increased state spending.

Cycle of life.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:44 am
Yes Willy, all about Rauner all day every day. Your hyperbole is on overdrive.

So you think the state of Illinois has been good stewards of Illinois taxpayers hard earned money?

Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 10:48 am
The State just accepts donations? Like, anyone can just hand the State a bag of money, no questions asked? Seems weird, and possibly abuse prone to me.

Comment by Perrid Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 11:03 am
McSweeney is a little out there, but nothing else seems to get through.

Meanwhile, middle-class millenials like me and my wife and our two-year old are actively trying to leave this state completely due to overwhelming taxes.

Comment by Romeo Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 11:03 am
===So you think the state of Illinois has been good stewards of Illinois taxpayers hard earned money?===

Rauner wasn’t

While not having budgets, Rauner ran up deficits, purposely, causing the state to pay more money as a punishment for not ending prevailing wage and collective bargaining?

If you’re advocating Rauner’s purposeful mismanagement of debt and budgets… LOL

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 11:11 am
- Lucky Pierre -

Being wealthy doesn’t mean one is wise.

Rauner, wise or not, was a phony, “taking no salary” while forcing those who need checks to see their social service jobs end, businesses close that his administration signed contracts without an intent to pay them… unless an agenda happened.

Diana Rauner saved The Ounce… with the Pritzkers being the saviors.

So… don’t tell me someone so wealthy they don’t take any more money from the state is great when the most notable disaster is someone who touted that as his selling point.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 11:17 am
-Meanwhile, middle-class millenials like me and my wife and our two-year old are actively trying to leave this state completely due to overwhelming taxes.-

Please don’t let anything get in your way from leaving.

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 11:18 am
==all about Rauner all day every day==

Says the guy who made it all about Rauner every day. lol

==Your hyperbole is on overdrive==

lol again

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 11:24 am
McSweeney is pushing for statewide name recognition.

It’s about jockeying up for a statewide office or a move into the US Congress.

A line of his attacks has been Duckworth and Durbin- so I think that’s where he wants to make his play.

As others pointed out, his salary is chump change compared to what he has in the bank.

Comment by Morty Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 11:34 am
Here’s a novel idea. Go back to where they each have to vote themselves a raise instead of the raise being automatic and voted down.

Comment by Generic Drone Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 11:53 am
Many public employees continue to work with no increase in salary, or a very minimal increase at best. I think someone who chooses to give back a raise should feel free to do so. But not expect that everyone else should too. In fact, if it’s all too much, give your whole salary back.

Public servants are often reminded that they are doing their work because they just love to serve the people. There are probably some who believe all public service, because of that attitude, should be voluntary anyway.

So too much money? Feel free to refuse.

Comment by AnonymousOne Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 11:54 am
- Romeo - Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 11:03 am:

Meanwhile, middle-class millenials like me and my wife and our two-year old are actively trying to leave this state completely due to overwhelming taxes.

Just visited with a nice guy who moved to Chicago from Iowa. All types of opportunity for him and was really looking forward to being here.

Comment by Cool Papa Bell Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 11:54 am
@Cool Papa Bell

Yes, there are plenty of opportunities for those in Chicago proper. Me-suburban, married, graduate-school educated with a mid $70’s salary.

We could “afford” to live here, i.e.–paying the bare minimum on the mortgage, saving nothing for retirement, etc. But this is not a good future for any couple let alone a family.

Comment by Romeo Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 11:58 am
===there are plenty of opportunities for those in Chicago proper. Me-suburban, married, graduate-school educated with a mid $70’s salary.===

No opportunities in the suburbs? Only Chicago proper? Huh.

Wonder where those 100,000 new jobs are?

Oh, Rich had a whole post about it if I wanna check.

===We could “afford” to live here, i.e.–paying the bare minimum on the mortgage, saving nothing for retirement, etc. But this is not a good future for any couple let alone a family.===

So you’re choosing, not being forced.

If you want to go, go, godspeed, all the best.

Bad mouthing the state “because” … it’d be best if ya just go and be done with it.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 12:04 pm
Just saw in the local paper that Rep. Meier donated his pay raise to four different nonprofits for the disabled. Hope others are following suit.

Comment by Wondering Wendy Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 12:21 pm
Yikes.
Put the bugle away and just donate the extra money to a worthy charity. Quietly if you’re capable.

The true measure of people is what they do when no one is looking.

Comment by A guy Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 12:24 pm
== me and my wife and our two-year old are actively trying to leave this state…But this is not a good future for any couple let alone a family.==

A good economy with high paying jobs outweighs high taxes for those who don’t have a political agenda, and yours is noted. More college graduates come to Illinois than leave because they can get jobs in a vibrant city environment. Iowa has trouble keeping the students it educates.

Comment by Jibba Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 1:39 pm
Aren’t some of us missing the point here? I thought some politicians are suing because of the untimely raise issue. Isn’t this bill helping to curb this silliness?

But, put all that aside, if a politician (or any government worker) wants to refuse a raise, it is nice if they are able to do so and are not breaking state law.

Comment by R A T Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 1:51 pm
===Aren’t some of us missing the point here? I thought some politicians are suing because of the untimely raise issue. Isn’t this bill helping to curb this silliness?===

The constitution isn’t silly, thanks.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 1:53 pm
Romeo
Good luck in matching the $70k salary in a low tax state like Mississippi or Alabama. I’m sure they’ll welcome a graduate-school educated suburbanite from Chicago with open arms.

Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Friday, Jul 26, 19 @ 1:57 pm