Stuart Bill Blocking Politician Pay Increase Advances in the House

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, to block an automatic pay increase for state lawmakers from taking effect next year advanced out of the House State Government Committee on Thursday.

“I spend my time going door-to-door in our community, meeting with social service providers and not-for-profit organizations, visiting schools and speaking with small business owners throughout the Metro East,” said Stuart. “Everyone is struggling to make ends meet, especially schools and organizations that rely on state funding, including organizations that serve senior citizens, veterans, domestic violence victims and the developmentally disabled. This is no time for politicians to take a pay raise.”

House Bill 5760 prohibits cost-of-living adjustments and freezes travel reimbursement rates for lawmakers and statewide office holders. Stuart passed similar legislation last year.

“This is a commonsense bill that all legislators should support to demonstrate our commitment to fiscal responsibility and good government that works for the people we represent,” continued Stuart. “Freezing lawmaker salaries alone won’t solve our fiscal challenges, and I’m committed to working with legislators on both sides of the aisle to identify savings and increase efficiencies to save taxpayer dollars and do more with what we have. This legislation is just the right thing to do.”