State Senator Pamela Althoff is a co-sponsor of legislation prohibiting a pay raise for lawmakers. Under House Bill 5760, lawmakers would not receive their scheduled Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increases to their salary set for July 1. They would also not receive any increase to their daily per diem and mileage reimbursement rate.

House bill 5760 passed the House April 18 with an overwhelming majority and is now in the Senate Government Reform Committee.

“Illinois is facing more than $8 billion in unpaid bills, and while prohibiting COLAs is a small amount, it’s the least we, as lawmakers, can do. We must lead by example and be responsible stewards of taxpayer money, which is exactly what this legislation demonstrates,” said Althoff. “For the past nine years, I have voted in favor of banning legislator pay increases. This is a standard and responsible measure that demonstrates the need to make the taxpayer the priority and shows we are serious about fixing our financial mess. I am pleased that the House overwhelmingly passed this proposal and hope for similar passage in the Senate. I also hope that this is the first of several critical reforms that help get Illinois’ fiscal house in order.”

The legislation would also prohibit automatic raises to statewide constitutional officers and State’s attorneys.