Yang Rohr Sponsors Legislation to Stop Perks for Politicians

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – To ensure that taxpayers are not on the hook for the mismanagement of state funds, state Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, D-Naperville, is supporting legislation that would prevent legislators from being paid if there is not a state budget in place.

“When legislators are unable to do their job and pass a state budget, the people who end up paying are hard-working taxpayers,” said Yang Rohr. “Legislators, just like everyone else, need to be held accountable for the work that they are doing, and if they are not doing their job of passing a budget, then they shouldn’t be compensated.”

Yang Rohr is supporting House Bill 178 so that legislators only get paid if a state budget is enacted. The legislation stemmed from the 2015-2017 budget impasse that forced domestic violence shelters to close, seniors to lose in-home care, and families to lose their child care, all while legislators were paid. Yang Rohr is committed to using her business background to improve the state’s finances and ensure that the state’s most vulnerable citizens are protected.

“It is unacceptable that for 2.5 years, politicians were paid, despite their ability to fulfill their constitutional obligations,” said Yang Rohr. “Elected officials are public servants first, and petty, political games should not get in the way of helping the people throughout the state who rely upon us the most.”