Their base pay has risen almost 50% since J.B. Pritzker became governor, compared with just a 30% increase for Illinoisans.
Illinois lawmakers pushed their salaries to over six figures.
Their base pay will rise to $101,450, fourth-highest in the country for state lawmakers, in the budget Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed June 16.
Add in meals and lodging and bonuses for leadership and committee positions and the average total compensation will be just under $134,000.
Since Pritzker took office in early 2019, Illinois lawmakers have given themselves raises totaling nearly $34,000 in base pay. That’s a nearly 50% increase, far outpacing the 30% rise Illinoisans have seen in that time.
Pritzker argues that higher pay will help attract and retain talent in government. Others argue that well-paid lawmakers “are less susceptible to corruption and can devote more time to constituents.”
Yet despite their high pay, Illinois was the second-most corrupt state in a late 2023 report as measured by federal corruption convictions since 1976.
The face of Illinois corruption is Michael Madigan, 84, who ruled the Illinois House for 36 years, longer than any legislative leader in U.S. history. Known as “The Velvet Hammer,” he quietly used his power to build a political machine that controlled Springfield and converted that power into personal and political gain.
A federal jury found Madigan guilty on 10 counts of bribery, conspiracy and wire fraud, concluding that he used his office to reward allies with no-show jobs and contracts in exchange for favorable legislation. U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey called it “abuse of power at the highest level.”
On April 27, a federal appeals court upheld Madigan’s conviction.
Paying lawmakers well cannot eliminate corruption. Illinois can combat corruption by tightening lax conflict-of-interest rules. Lawmakers should be barred from working as lobbyists and property tax attorneys.
Despite passing almost 400 bills this session, lawmakers boosted their own pay while fumbling an opportunities to lower taxes and increase the state’s housing supply.
