Halpin Sponsored Bill to Reject Lawmaker Pay Increase Becomes Law

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – A measure sponsored by state Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, that freezes lawmaker reimbursement rates and blocks a scheduled pay raise, was signed into law Wednesday.

“As we continue to work to get Illinois back on sound financial footing, it would be irresponsible for legislators to receive a pay increase at the expense of taxpayers,” Halpin said. “It’s time we put people’s tax dollars to good use by reigning in wasteful perks for politicians and using our resources to invest in the community.”

Halpin sponsored House Bill 643, which prohibits legislators from receiving an automatic annual pay raise that was scheduled to take effect this month. Additionally, the new law freezes mileage reimbursement rates, and legislators’ daily allowance for food and lodging during session days in Springfield.

“The budget we passed cut billions of dollars out of state bureaucracy, and this measure is another step in the right direction to ensure that the state lives within its means,” Halpin said. “I remain committed to working to cut waste and fraud from state government so that we can focus on repairing the damage that occurred over the last two years without a budget.”

For more information, please contact Halpin’s full-time constituent service office at 309-558-3612 or at rephalpin@gmail.com.