State Senate kills raises for legislators, other officials

The Senate did not, as previously expected, take up a measure to halt a 2 percent cost-of-living increase for state lawmakers, nor did it act to override a gubernatorial veto of a bill that would enable mandatory arbitration if the either the state or its employee unions declare an impasse in their continuing contract talks. Heather Steans, D-Chicago, who presented the measure, Senate Bill 2042.

Spokeswoman Catherine Kelly said the administration notified labor unions that the workers will be let go effective September 30. Union officials say layoffs could be avoided if Rauner would drop his “extreme political agenda”.

AFSCME spokesman Anders Lindall said Rauner’s actions “have not matched his words”.

After a failed attempt last month, Democratic Senate President John Cullerton shepherded his proposal through. “We think we need a little time to completely understand the impact of the bill”, he said.

The state’s 138-year-old museum system also includes the Springfield institution, the Dickson Mounds burial grounds in western Illinois, and the artisans’ galleries in Chicago and Rend Lake. “That shouldn’t be mandated by Springfield”, Gov. Rauner said.

The governor’s office says the bill doesn’t provide funding for the museums and wouldn’t change plans for the closures.

How much money local governments could ask taxpayers for would be stuck for a couple years – something Rauner, a Republican, insists happen before he’ll negotiate with Democrats on the budget.

Sponsoring state Sen. Michael Connelly, a Wheaton Republican, says the law offers help to people with debilitating illness such as HIV, Lou Gehrig’s disease and other serious conditions.

The state’s largest employee union said 94 of its members are affected, including 24 at the Illinois Commerce Commission, nine in the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and seven at the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.

The 57-0 vote in the Democrat-controlled Senate sends the measure to the House, which returns to session on Wednesday.