D’Amico Rejects Legislative Pay Raise

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As residents continue to face hardship in the wake of the state budget impasse, state Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, voted Thursday to freeze lawmaker reimbursements and prevent a pay raise for politicians.

“Politicians should not be receiving any sort of pay increase while middle-class families continue to struggle to get by,” D’Amico said. “With property taxes crunching the budgets of working families across the state, we should be focused on offering tax relief, not giving out perks to politicians.”

D’Amico supported House Bill 643, which removes the automatic cost-of-living increase that state legislators are due in July. The measure also 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.

“It’s time for us to change the way that business is done in Springfield, we need to end the political games and come together to pass a full year’s budget,” D’Amico said. “I am hopeful that this bipartisan proposal will act as a positive first step as we continue to negotiate on the budget.”