Merit pay for state lawmakers?

Perhaps it's time to re-evaluate compensation packages for the state's "part time employees" - better known as the Illinois legislature.

Perhaps, given their sterling performance, these folks, whose compensation packages start around $65,000 before perks for "working" six months or less annually, should only receive merit pay based on performance. No insurance, no pension, just merit compensation and expenses.

Think of all the money Illinois could have saved in the past decade and this year if these folks were judged on that basis. Perhaps Republicans would quit moaning they can't get anything done because of the Democrats. And who knows, maybe Democrats might come up with a plan that enables them to work with other Democrats. What a concept.

Dean Dranias

Aurora