Lawmakers move to keep their paychecks steady

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois legislature has passed a measure that would prevent their salaries from being stopped in the future.

The state House and Senate on Friday approved the legislation sponsored by Chicago Democratic Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie a day before their spring session was scheduled to end.

Gov. Pat Quinn last summer used his veto powers to eliminate lawmakers' salaries. The governor said the move was a way to push them to reach consensus on a statewide pension overhaul.

The new legislation would require lawmakers to get a "continuing appropriation" of the salaries they are promised when they are elected to their respective terms.

Currie says lawmakers didn't like Quinn's maneuver and the legislation is an attempt to "make sure our governor doesn't try it again."