Springfield … Today, the House unanimously passed legislation which rejects a pay raise for legislators, stops the practice of retroactive pay raises and requires all members of the General Assembly to take four furlough days.

“The state’s budget is currently billions in the red, and we need to make cuts to balance our books. It would be wrong for the legislature to treat itself differently, and we are right to start cuts with our own pay,” said State Representative Mike Fortner (R-West Chicago).

Rep. Fortner added that he was happy to see that Speaker Madigan’s legislation also took into account legislation he previously sponsored which would end retroactive cost of living adjustments.

“In many years, members of the General Assembly did the right thing and voted to block a pay raise for themselves. However, the legislature in the past would just wait for a year when they felt the state had enough revenue to bundle those blocked increases into one massive raise. I have worked hard to try and pass legislation to stop this practice. I’m happy that Speaker Madigan and the Democrats have finally seen the light,” said Rep. Fortner. “When the legislature says no, we should mean it. We shouldn’t try and slide something in later.”

SB 2090, which passed the House, rejects the 2009 cost of living adjustment (COLA) given to legislators, stops the act of retroactive cost of living adjustments and requires a mandatory four day furlough for members of the General Assembly.

For additional questions, contact Rep. Fortner at (630) 293-9344