Gaffney Files Legislation to Block Politicians’ Pay Raises

State Representative Kent Gaffney (R-Lake Barrington) has filed legislation to block proposed pay raises for Springfield politicians.

Governor Pat Quinn included funding in his proposed Fiscal Year 2013 budget for pay raises for state lawmakers and constitutional officers.

Under Quinn’s proposed budget, lawmakers would get a $600 pay raise from their current base salary of $67,836. Governor Quinn would see his own salary increase by $1,600 to $179,100.

“Illinois has $8 billion in unpaid bills and a massive amount of debt,” Gaffney said. “Working families got hit with a 67 percent income tax increase last year, courtesy of Governor Quinn and the Democrats in Springfield. Now they want to give themselves pay raises? Taxpayers should be outraged by this tone-deaf move.”

House Bill 6136, sponsored by Rep. Gaffney, would block state lawmakers, constitutional officers, and members of state boards and commissions from receiving a pay raise or cost of living increase. Gaffney is also co-sponsoring House Bill 110, which would cut lawmakers’ pay by 10 percent.

“It’s just common sense that in these tough times, there should be no pay raises for politicians,” Gaffney said. “We need to lead by example. I think it sets a terrible example to hand out taxpayer-funded pay raises to politicians when the State can’t even pay its bills.”

Earlier this year, Representative Gaffney opted out of the General Assembly Retirement System, turning down his legislative pension.

“I don’t intend to do this for 20 years,” Gaffney said, noting Illinois’ $85 billion in unfunded pension liabilities. “I’m for term limits. I’m not going to be part of the problem.”

Source: Rep. Kent Gaffney office, submitted by Nick McNeely

Contact: Mr. Gaffney at (847) 387-8193