Verschoore Pushes Legislative Pay Cuts

Continuing his promise to promote fiscal responsibility, state Rep. Pat Verschoore (D-Milan) and the Illinois House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved legislation that would lower the salaries and benefits of state legislators and constitutional officers today.

“As we look for ways to promote the Illinois economy and get our citizens back to work during these difficult economic times, we are continually looking for ways to trim the state budget,” Verschoore said. “I want to make sure that as we cut our way through different areas that we take a hard look at our own budgets and make sure we are cutting our pay too.”

House Bill 3188, co-sponsored by Verschoore, reduces legislator’s salaries by requiring twelve unpaid days for the fourth year in a row.  The measure would also block cost of living increases for General Assembly members, state’s attorneys, constitutional officers, state agency directors and members of boards and commissions. These cost saving measures will save taxpayers around $950,000 this year.

“I have voted to cut my own pay for the last four years and have supported legislation that would permanently reduce legislators pay by 10 percent,” Verschoore said. “We have to do our part to help get our state’s budget back on track, and making personal sacrifices must be a part of spending cuts.”

House Bill 3188 passed both chambers of the General Assembly and awaits approval by the Governor.

For more information on this or any of Rep. Verschoore’s legislation, please contact his constituent services office at (309) 558-3612.