Halpin Sponsored Bill to Reject Lawmaker Pay Increase Passes House

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. –State Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, voted Thursday on a measure to freeze lawmaker reimbursement rates and block a scheduled pay raise.

“As state agencies and social service organizations continue to struggle due to a lack of funding, we have to make decisions as to what to prioritize,” Halpin said. “For legislators to receive any increase to their pay is unacceptable at this time, and I will stand against any legislation that aims to increase incentives for politicians.”

House Bill 643, sponsored by Halpin, would remove the automatic cost-of-living increase that state legislators are due in July. Additionally, the bill freezes reimbursement rates for travel, food and lodging on days lawmakers are in session in Springfield. The bill passed with bipartisan support, and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

“By rejecting a pay increase, legislators on both sides of the aisle made the right choice by standing with the taxpayers of Illinois,” Halpin said. “I hope this can signal a new direction forward, one that prioritizes our state’s residents over political games and works to end the destructive budget impasse.”