- Published: Wednesday, August 05, 2015 03:28 PM
SPRINGFIELD – In the midst of the ongoing budget negotiations, Illinois State Senator Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) voted to deny himself a pay increase. The Illinois Constitution includes a provision that requires legislators’ pay to increase every year, known as a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
“Right now, there are a lot of state facilities and programs that are threatening to close because they don’t have enough funding,” Sandoval said. “For us to take a pay increase while others are struggling just to put food on the table is wrong. The vote we took today was a practical and responsible decision.”
This is not the first time lawmakers have voted to reject their COLAs, they’ve renewed their vote to reject them every year since 2011. Each member of the General Assembly receives a COLA of about $80, and HB 576 prevents it from being implemented. The Illinois Senate voted 49-2 in favor of rejecting the COLA, and the measure would take effect immediately if the governor signs it.