Mussman-Supported Bill to Block Politician Pay Raise Passes House

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. –Legislation backed by state Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, to prevent an automatic pay increase for state lawmakers from taking effect next year has passed the House.

“While families across the state try to balance their own budgets, Springfield should lead by example by prioritizing the needs of others over the needs of ourselves,” said Mussman. “It is inappropriate for politicians to take a pay raise while the state budget and taxpayers are still experiencing so much distress.”

Mussman co-sponsored House Bill 5760, which prevents a cost-of-living adjustment from going into effect and freezes travel reimbursement rates for lawmakers and statewide office holders.

“Working families depend on their representatives to invest taxpayer money wisely,” Mussman said. “Our immediate focus should be on improving the state’s fiscal health through ideas that moderate spending and attack in-efficiencies, not increasing lawmakers’ pay.”