State Sen. Michael E. Hastings sponsors bill preventing pay hike for state legislators

TINLEY PARK - The members of the Illinois General Assembly will not receive a pay increase again this year thanks to a new law sponsored by state Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Tinley Park).

Hastings sponsored House Bill 643, which stops automatic increases in mileage reimbursements or per diem rates.

"I'm here to serve the people of the 19th District," Hastings said. "We are in the midst of trying times. I will continue to fight to ensure our legislature is working in the best interests of the people of Illinois."

House Bill 643 freezes the Illinois General Assembly's mileage reimbursement and per diem rates for the upcoming year. In addition, the initiative eliminates the upcoming cost of living adjustment for the members of the legislature and other offices set by the Compensation Review Board.

The Comptroller's Office states that the cost of living adjustment would be 2.1 percent without the passage of a freeze.

This is the fifth time Hastings voted to cut his own pay. He has voted stop automatic pay increases and surges to reimbursement rates for General Assembly members since he has been in office.

House Bill 643 passed the Senate and House with bipartisan support.