State Stix
Another day, another dollar
In the good old days, state lawmakers received no salary. Instead, they got a per
diem, under the 1870 Constitution, of $5 a day — unless otherwise provided by law.
In 1897, legislators provided otherwise by enacting a $1,000 biennial salary, $700 at
the start of each General Assembly, the rest when they adjourned sine die, according
to a recent report by the General Assembly's Legislative Research Unit. Per diems
were reinstituted in 1973. The report is the source of information for the charts on
this page, with the exception of Figure 1. Pay raises approved during the 1994 spring
session marked the 20th pay increase since 1897.
Legislative leaders have received extra compensation since 1967, but in the beginning, the stipends went only to nine members. However, the leadership eligible for
extra compensation has since expanded to 79 House members and 44 senators.
Donald Sevener
Figure 1. Pay raises for public officials
Constitutional officers, legislators and selected judiciary
Governor
Secy of State
Atty General
Comptroller
Treasurer
Supreme Ct.
Circuit judge
Legislators |
1993
|
1994 |
1995 |
$103,097 |
$110,537 |
$115,512 |
$90,968
|
$97,034 |
$101,922
|
$90,968 |
$97,034
|
$101,922
|
$78,839
|
$84,529
|
$88,333
|
$78,839
|
$84,529
|
$88,333
|
$103,097
|
$112,124
|
$118,852
|
$88,541
|
$96,837
|
$102,648
|
$39,420
|
$42,265
|
$44,167
|
Source: Office of the Comptroller,
Compensation Review Commission
August 1994/Illinois Issues/35
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Sam S. Manivong, Illinois Periodicals Online Coordinator
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