Mussman-Backed Legislation to Withhold Pay Increases from Politicians Passes House

SCHAUMBURG Ill. – State Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg helped pass legislation out of the House on Thursday that would prioritize education funding and vital human services over pay increases for politicians.

“In my district there are social workers, teachers and in-home senior care professionals who wake up every day with the fear that they could be laid off because the state has not paid the bills,” Mussman said. “During such a tumultuous time, elected officials should be sharing this burden with the rest of their community. Forgoing a pay increase is the least that we could be doing.”

Mussman is a co-sponsor of House Bill 643, a measure that would keep mileage and lodging reimbursements at 2011 levels and blocks the automatic cost of living increases that currently apply to the salaries of legislators, executive officers and agency directors. The measure passed out of the House with bipartisan support and awaits a vote in the Senate.

“Until Illinois policymakers pass a budget to ensure that schools, health care providers, and vital social services receive the funding they need to serve our communities, the last thing we should be thinking about is a pay increase,” Mussman said.

Mussman serves the 56th District, which includes portions of Elk Grove Village, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Roselle, and Schaumburg.