Illinois Taxpayers Buy Second Homes for Lawmakers in State Capitol…

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Springfield, Illinois — February 18, 2010 — According to public records from the Illinois Comptroller’s Office, a [state] House Representative, or [state] Senator, earned a base salary of $66,276.54 in 2009. But that’s just what lawmakers were paid annually, in Springfield, simply for having been elected.

A sizeable portion of a lawmakers’ salary, in addition to the yearly base, is allocated by House and Senate party “leadership.” This “bonus” pay, as I’ll call it, of course, is paid from the taxpayers’ coffers. And since Democrats are in the majority, in both “houses” of government, this “additional” pay, for elected Democrats, therefore, is determined by House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-22nd) and Senate President John Cullerton (D-6th). For Republican members of the House and Senate, Minority Leaders Tom Cross (R-84th), of the House, and Christine Radogno (R-41st), from the Senate, are the final decision-makers.

In some cases, lawmakers fall from favor with “leadership,” like Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez (D-22nd), who received no “bonus” pay at all in 2008 and 2009. But the typical lawmaker brought home at least $76,366.08 in 2009, with the highest earners, of course, being the four legislative “leaders” themselves, each bringing home $93,121.92 for the year. And, of course, many lawmakers earned more than the traditional $76,366.08, but less than the lavish $93,121.92 enjoyed by legislative “leaders;” like Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie (D-25th), who was paid $88,972.50, for serving as Madigan’s House Majority Leader.

But what many Illinois residents may not realize is this: Illinois lawmakers lavishly pay themselves a “Per Diem” to stay in Springfield while the General Assembly is in session.

For the first nine months of 2009, the maximum “Per Diem” rate was $132.00 per day, while members were in session; and $139.00 per day, in October, November, and December. And since most legislators choose to claim the maximum rate, for as many days as possible, they’re often allocated a lump sum payment just over $8,000.00, with little or no constraints on how the money is supposed to be spent.

And while most lawmakers stay overnight at a local hotel while representing their districts in Springfield, like the Abraham Lincoln Hotel and Conference Center, some have come up with a more clever and self-interested way to spend this money.

In the 95th and 96th General Assemblies, six Democrats and two Republicans in the Senate, as well as four Democrats and one Republican in the House, all own “vacation” homes in Sangamon County, very close to the state capitol; while also claiming, and receiving, the taxpayer provided “Per Diem.”

Following, is a list of state legislators, the total purse given to them in 2009 from taxpayer funds, along with the value of the long-term asset they’ve acquired, and other relevant information.

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