Madigan Takes Minions Off Hook

A press release from Governor Bruce Rauner:

Governor’s Office Statement on Passage of HB 576

Mike Madigan's little minions are sad.

Mike Madigan’s little minions are sad.

SPRINGFIELD – The Governor’s Office has issued the following statement, attributable to Lance Trover, Director of Communications:

“Governor Rauner appreciates today’s action in the House and thanks all those members who showed leadership on this issue.

“We encourage President Cullerton to swiftly move this legislation to the governor’s desk for his signature.

“Governor Rauner is ready to work with Speaker Madigan, Leader Durkin and all members of the General Assembly to pass true structural reforms and a balanced budget.”

Shells with holes in them 2 closer up

MIke Madigan used one of his many shell bills to attach language to void the legislative pay increase.

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State Rep. William Davis, a Democrat from Hazel Crest, was the only one brave enough to vote, “No.”

The vote was 101-1.  There are 116 members of the Illinois House.

State Rep. David McSweeney was allowed to be a lead sponsor by House Speaker Mike Madigan, who used a shell bill as a vehicle for the pay hike repeal.

House Bill 576 is the number of the legislation.

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State Rep. David McSweeney sent the following press release:

House Approves Rep. David McSweeney Backed Legislation Repealing Pay Raise for Legislators

Springfield, IL – The Illinois House today approved legislation to repeal the automatic cost-of-living adjustment that lawmakers recently received according to State Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills), one of the lead co-sponsors of the legislation.‎ Legislators recently received a two percent automatic cost-of-living adjustment, which amounts to about an additional $1,563 annually. HB 576 eliminates the automatic COLA. The Senate must now pass the bill.

“Repealing the automatic pay increase is the right thing to do,” McSweeney said.

“Giving legislators a pay increase when we have not passed a permanent budget is unconscionable. Now that we have rejected the pay increase, let’s finish doing our job and pass a permanent budget without raising taxes.”

Legislators are required by law to accept the COLA, which began on July 1st. McSweeney has already donated the full yearly amount of the COLA to charity.

He donated

  • $781.50 to the McHenry County Pioneer Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping economically disadvantaged and disabled people achieve their full potential as individuals [and]
  • an additional $781.50 to the Night Ministry, a non-profit group that helps homeless children and adults.

McSweeney has voluntarily cut his own pay and district office budget by 10%.

He’s also not going to accept his paychecks until the state budget crisis is solved.

Earlier this year, McSweeney introduced House Bill 1313 which eliminates COLA’s for legislators and forces them to take furlough days.


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