Suburban representative proposes pay cuts for lawmakers

SPRINGFIELD — As Illinois continues to struggle with a massive deficit and slow economic growth, one Schaumburg state representative said it is time to cut lawmakers’ pay.

However, opponents claim it is nothing more than political posturing.

Freshman Rep. Michelle Mussman sponsored the plan to cut lawmakers’ salaries by 10 percent from their 2008 suggested base pay. Lawmakers’ base pay is currently at $67,836. The Schaumburg Democrat’s legislation could make that base salary $58,818, according to the state comptroller’s office.

The legislation was approved by the Illinois House this week and now moves to the Senate.

Mussman said she believed it was fair to cut salaries not because it would save the state significant money, but because it would show that lawmakers are willing to lead by example and listen to the people.

“It’s something I heard over and over while I was knocking on doors during my campaign,” Mussman said. “This is something anyone running this year would have heard from their constituents... We need to be showing we’re making a sacrifice also.”

Not every legislator heard that sentiment on the campaign trail.

Rep. Randy Ramey, a Carol Stream Republican, said there was only one issue on voters’ minds and it was taxes. He said if lawmakers really want to listen to the people and lead by example they should repeal the income tax increase passed in January.

Plus, Ramey said, he’s up for election every two years when voters could cut his pay to zero.

“The people that vote cut my pay,” Ramey said. “This is not a part-time job... I represent 110,000 people and they expect me to be doing my job down here and back home when we’re not here.”