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* Chicago Tribune letters to the editor…
Pritzker’s plan to boost aides’ salaries unconstitutional
According to the Jan. 12 front-page story “Pritzker personally to bump aides’ pay,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker intends to supplement the state-paid salaries of some of his appointees with funds from “East Jackson Street LLC, an organization Pritzker set up.”
However, Article V, Section 21, of the Illinois Constitution says: “Officers of the Executive Branch shall be paid salaries established by law and shall receive no other compensation for their services.”
It seems Pritzker’s supplemental compensation scheme has serious constitutional problems.
— Dennis M. Dohm, retired circuit judge, Oak Lawn
Twenty of Pritzker’s deputies will be paid through the LLC and the biggest checks will be cut to the governor-elect’s chief of staff and deputy governors, whose state salaries will not start off as high as some of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s top staff.
Article V, Section 21 of the Illinois Constitution bans “officers of the Executive Branch” from receiving any other compensation for their services, which is generally interpreted to mean the state’s six constitutional officers — the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, comptroller and treasurer. But Section 9 of the executive article does refer to personnel who are nominated by the governor and confirmed by the Senate as “officers,” which by some interpretations would then ban them from receiving extra compensation. But Pritzker’s transition team stipulated that the governor would not offer the pay boost through his LLC to those who must be confirmed by the Senate.
Do better, Tribune editors.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 4:16 pm
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Almost makes one wonder if the retired judge has ever actually read the state’s Constitution.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 4:23 pm
Agreed. Fair and balanced would be nice but I guess that is too much to ask when Tribune editors are involved.
Comment by Illinois Resident Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 4:24 pm
There are two possible responses to “Do better, Tribune editors”:
1) They’re doing the best they can, in which case woe is us.
2) They know better, in which case woe is them.
Comment by dbk Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 4:31 pm
Trib: if your readers are dumber and less informed as a result of reading your publication you are not adding value. Besides ideological zealots, who wants to pay good money to be misled?
Also, shame on that judge. Glad he’s retired, shudder to think how well he performed on the bench.
Comment by Moe Berg Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 4:34 pm
Oy. I don’t know if Hannah has a law degree. But if she does, perhaps the powers that be can slate her as a judge. She’d be better than retired “Judge” Dohm given her understanding of and ability to interpret the IL Constitution.
Comment by Yiddishcowboy Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 4:42 pm
Come on Capt Fax Tribbies are doing the best they can. You are expectin’ a lot. We recall the explanation about no pay hikes for those needing senate confirmation in the Day 1 release. Perhaps the “retired judge” was snnozin’
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 4:46 pm
For me the takeaway here is the phrase “Generally Interpreted”.
There is some minor legitimacy in stating that it is unconstitutional in supplementing salaries with private funds because it does read reads a little murky.
But honestly, good for JB for understanding that it’s going to take some cash to attract talent.
Comment by Mistaken Daily Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 4:48 pm
If it is questionable, how hard would it be to pass a bill (and maybe an amendment if needed) clarifying the reference to “officials”?
Comment by RNUG Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 5:02 pm
In our dreams.
Comment by West Sider Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 5:28 pm
To whom will those J.B. owe a fiduciary duty then? The people, or J.B.?
Comment by Pragmatically Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 6:47 pm
You just know that deep thought originated with Katrina.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 6:47 pm
I don’t think this is a big deal. I am glad JB hired talented people and if he wants to add to their pay in order to recruit them so be it.
Comment by Eire17 Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 7:05 pm
As long as we dont get anymore superstars, I’m ok with this arrangement.
Comment by Harvest76 Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 7:38 pm
When you double the pay of people you bring on and then fight in court to stop increases to a group of employees who waited and worked for over four years it’s wrong. And those workers will remember.
Comment by Anon Y Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 7:40 pm
The Judge may be in the right church but the wrong pew. I would suggest that Pritzker’s payments are in violation of the Gift Ban Act. 5 ILCS 430/10-10
Comment by DuPage Lawman Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 7:54 pm
Sorry, but I do not think the supplemental payments are appropriate for a couple of reasons. First, it seems like a question on the mandatory state employee ethics test: “Joe, a CPA in the private sector is asked to take a job as the accounting director at a major state agency. His private sector salary is higher than the maximum state salary for this position. The governor offers to double the state salary if Joe is willing to accept the job. Should Joe accept the job?”
Secondly, as a accounting purist, the personal services costs for the state will be understated by the amounts paid from the LLC.
If the state had been responsibly managed, none of these charades would be necessary.
Comment by justacitizen Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 8:27 pm
It can’t be fake news. Hollywood and late night comics haven’t crusified it on Twitter.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 8:40 pm
I’d say the same to my local newspaper editors when they receive letters from the same people every month spouting out Trump propaganda.
Comment by Ross Brown Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 9:15 pm
===are in violation of the Gift Ban Act===
He’s not a prohibited source.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 28, 19 @ 11:53 pm
And Rauner stole money to pay his minions out of other funds, but Pritzger will pay out of hiw own pocket?
Comment by Union Thug Gramma Tuesday, Jan 29, 19 @ 1:33 am
Actually, for the Tribune, this was an OK effort…the Trib’s credibility ship sank a loooong time ago. This editorial represents some of their better work.
Comment by Elliott Ness Tuesday, Jan 29, 19 @ 7:19 am
Maybe after JB takes his ethics class, he will reconsider this. I was told if it appears to be unethical, avoid it, even if it is legal.
Comment by pool boy Tuesday, Jan 29, 19 @ 7:53 am
Makes me wonder - will their pensions be calculated on the amount allocated by budget, or on the “new and improved” supplemented amount?
Comment by Tango Tuesday, Jan 29, 19 @ 4:17 pm