May 9, 2008

There was some heated debate in the Illinois Senate Thursday over legislative pay raises.

One state senator called another senator "filthy rich" while some accused members of the House of being hypocritical.

Chicago Senator Ricky Hendon said he would try to change legislation recently passed in the House that would keep the raises from taking effect. Hendon promised a new version of the legislation that would bar raises to any lawmaker who voted against the extra money.

Hendon also took shots at fellow Senator Susan Garrett of Lake Forrest who is pushing the Senate to block the raises. During debate on the floor, Hendon referred to Garrett as being from "Richville" and called her a "millionaire." The Chicago Senator also asked Garrett to sign over her daily expenses check to him because "she doesn’t need it".

Senate President Emil Jones also took his own shot at Garrett on Thursday. While Garrett was talking with some reporters, Jones walked by and said "I’ve got to get me some food stamps."

Currently, lawmakers receive a salary $65,533 a year but that would increase to $72,985 a year unless the raise is rejected. Just last year, lawmakers received a 10% pay increase.

Jones and House Speaker Michael Madigan would see their salary increase from $91,824 a year to $102,547 while Governor Rod Blagojevich’s salary would jump to $192,773 from the current level of $170,917.

The raises will automatically take effect this summer unless legislators in both chambers approve the same resolution to block them.