Gov. Rod Blagojevich ripped Pace officials Monday following reports they have fattened their salaries as they raise fares for riders.

As the governor took questions from reporters following a tree-lighting ceremony downtown, the Chicago Democrat went out of his way to bring up Pace pay hikes.

Blagojevich derisively called Pace officials "bureaucrats" who "sock it to" riders by raising fares.

"Then they give themselves pay raises and hire people they don't need," Blagojevich said.

Officials at the suburban bus agency declined to comment on the governor's remarks Monday.

Pace fares are set to rise 25 cents on Jan. 1, bringing the standard rate to $1.75.

Meanwhile, a newspaper report recently revealed the number of Pace executives making more than $100,000 yearly has risen from 13 in 2006 to 20 this year.

Pace officials have defended the increase, saying some of those positions came with the need to oversee paratransit services formerly offered by the CTA in Chicago. Pace officials also pointed to an increase in riders and an expanding vanpool program as signs of good management.