Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for June 2, 2007 9.6% PAY RAISE

It's all about priorities!

From the Herald & Review...

Lawmakers approve money for their pay raises

By KURT ERICKSON - H&R Springfield Bureau Chief

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois lawmakers may not have approved a budget or provided their constituents with relief from high electric rates, but they did give themselves pay raises late Thursday.

On a vote of 37-21, the Illinois Senate followed the lead of the House in approving a supplemental spending plan that includes 9.6 percent pay hikes for themselves.

The measure passed without comment. It was approved in the House late Wednesday night.

Currently, lawmakers earn $57,619 annually. They would make $63,143 if the proposal is signed into law by the governor.

The plan also includes pay raises for scores of other state officials, including Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who would see his pay rise from $150,800 to $157,000.

Republican lawmakers voted in opposition to the plan.

"We just think it was improper at this time to vote for pay raises when we don't have a budget," said state Sen. Brad Burzynski, R-Clare.

In addition to the pay raises, the plan also would provide money to 24 school districts for long-awaited construction projects.

Among those affected are districts in Benton, DuQuoin, Silvis, Johnston City, Stewardson-Strasburg and Hinckley-Big Rock.

The money was promised by the state in 2003 but has yet to be funded.

The proposal also includes funding for Line of Duty Compensation, which is distributed to families of Illinois military personnel who are killed in the line of duty. The benefit is about $270,000 per family.

The legislation is Senate Bill 241.