Garrett decries legislator raises

An Illinois Senate resolution rejecting a proposed raise for state legislators was introduced Friday by Sen. Susan Garrett, D-Lake Forest.

The resolution rejects a 2008 report of the Compensation Review Board recommending a 3.8 percent cost of living adjustment increase in fiscal year 2009 for members of the executive and legislative branches.

Garrett said the Compensation Review Board report also recommends that the Legislature accept two previously rejected cost-of-living allowances that would result in a significant salary increase for Illinois public officials.

"I strongly believe every legislator should be of the mindset to completely reject another salary increase as the state faces hard economic times," said Garrett, who has been a member of the General Assembly since 1999. "This state can't pay its own bills, and there are thousands of people out of work.

"Those who are employed are not being offered raises. I don't believe there is any justification for a pay increase for state legislators," she said.

The General Assembly has 30 session days after the House and Senate next convene following the filing of the report to reject it in whole or reduce it.

Using the current session calendar, May 29 would be the 25th day, leaving five additional session days within which the report could be rejected, Garrett said.