Lawmakers OK self sacrifice, but tax hikes still on table
SPRINGFIELD - State senators gave initial support to cutting their own pay Tuesday while Democrats are trying to round up Republican votes for a possible income tax increase as time and dollars are running short at the Capitol.
Facing a $12 billion deficit and a May 31 deadline for action, Democratic leaders said they expect to hear from Republicans today regarding whether they can put any votes on a tax increase. Gov. Pat Quinn proposed raising the state income tax 50 percent to 4.5 percent to help balance spending.
Although Democrats control all of state government, they apparently don't have the votes among their ranks to pass higher taxes.
"We want to make this a concerted effort with Republicans and Democrats," said Senate President John Cullerton, a Chicago Democrat.
In exchange, Cullerton said he's willing to work with Republicans to target budget cuts, something he acknowledged Democrats are not always skilled at doing.
But finding those cuts will be key to getting Republican support, party officials said.
"I am pretty certain most Republicans aren't going to vote for an income tax until they see what's been stripped out of the budget, what's been reduced, where the expenditures are," said state Sen. Pamela Althoff, a McHenry Republican.
House Republican leader Tom Cross emphasized he wants to see spending cut before a tax increase is brought to the table. "Somewhere along the line, someone needs to control their spending," the Oswego Republican said.
The Illinois House recently approved portions of a budget needed to capture billions in federal aide and keep the state running. But the plan is still short additional billions to keep programs running as they are now. Lawmakers have been going over lists of state programs and expenses to try to find agreement on what to keep and what to cut.
House Speaker Michael Madigan, a Chicago Democrat, wasn't sure when the process will be complete. "It is pretty much up to the governor and when he wants to call it. I think that if you were talking to him he would say he is not ready today. Are we done by the end of the week? We hope so." Cutting lawmakers pay will barely make a dent in the massive deficit, but with so many people losing jobs in Illinois, supporters in the Senate said elected officials need to sacrifice, too.
Members of the Senate's Executive Committee endorsed - albeit reluctantly in some instances - forgoing a 2.7 percent cost of living increase and taking four furlough days.
At a minimum, the increases would have added roughly $1,800 to the almost $68,000 base pay for House and Senate members. They make thousands more running committees and serving in leadership posts. The furlough days would subtract nearly $750 from that base pay.
The plan - which also disbands an official pay-setting panel and forces legislative votes on salary increases - cleared the committee 12-0. Suburban members Don Harmon, an Oak Brook Democrat, and Carole Pankau, an Itasca Republican, were among the supporters. State Sen. Kimberly Lightford, a Maywood Democrat, voted present.
However, others who voted for the cuts expressed hesitation.
State Sen. James Clayborne, a Belleville Democrat, said unionized state workers are getting their raises and this proposal creates a scenario where lawmakers are treated differently than state employees.
"How do you justify that?" he said.
Clayborne, an attorney, also said he's had to pay interest on hotel rooms he charged in Springfield during the legislative session because the state was tardy in giving him the meal and hotel money lawmakers get to cover such expenses.
"I think we're opening up a door we may regret," Clayborne said of potential devaluing of legislative compensation.