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Post by title1parent on Apr 18, 2010 11:25:50 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/opinions/2167350,2_4_AU18_LETTERS_S1-100418.article General Assembly leaders have, in fact, cut back on pay LTE 4/18/10 Roberta Hahn from Yorkville wrote a heartfelt Letter to the Editor that was printed April 7 titled "Why don't leaders cut their own salaries?" I realize that it wasn't reported when it happened last fall, but the answer to her question is that we have. At this time last year, I sponsored SB2090, which reduced pay for members of the General Assembly by approximately 5 percent. After listening to many stories of family members losing jobs or having income cut but by 30 to 50 percent, I recognize that 5 percent is a much smaller sacrifice, but it is a step in the right direction, if senators and representatives sincerely intend to lead by good example. I have also recently sponsored legislation to eliminate pensions for these same people so that citizen-legislators are not incentivized like professional politicians or career employees in a state bureaucracy. SB2090 was passed in both chambers of the Legislature and I was certainly grateful for my colleagues' overwhelming support. When Gov. Quinn vetoed the pay cut, we had to repass it and we successfully overrode his veto. So, although our symbolic action went unnoticed, members of the General Assembly have cut their own salaries. Sen. Chris Lauzen 25th District
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