Freshman State Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) | senatorbryant.com/
Freshman State Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) | senatorbryant.com/
In a Jan. 9 Facebook post, Sen. Terri Bryant reacted to the passage of a supplemental budget. She expressed anger about a recent bill that was passed that would increase the pay for leaders of certain departments within the government.
In her post, she said, "Outrageous for legislators to raise their own pay in this economy!!"
In the June 28, 2022 election, Bryant ran unopposed in her efforts to serve the residents of District 58. Since her election, she has been a vocal critic of increasing government spending and has spent the majority of her time advocating for conservative causes.
In her Facebook post, Sen. Bryant shared a link to a press release where she issued a full statement: “Legislators voting to increase their salaries is a complete and utter insult to each and every Illinoisan who is struggling to keep up with rising energy bills and putting food on their table. “By voting to increase their salaries by roughly $12,000, the Majority Party has made it clear to the people of our state that their own personal interests are more important than their struggles.”
Rep. Greg Harris filed Senate Bill 1720 on Jan. 6, 2023. Several departments received pay increases, including the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Aging, and the Department of Agriculture.
The Governor, Lt. Governor, Comptroller, and Treasurer will all see pay increases with the passage of this bill, according to NPR Illinois. "Under the pay schedules outlined in the bill, salaries of the lieutenant governor, comptroller and treasurer would increase from $143,400 to $160,900; and the attorney general’s and secretary of state’s from $165,400 to $183,300."
The State Journal-Register reported that the pay increases will take effect for the affected individuals on Jan. 9 at the latest.
The bill also included the transfer of several hundred thousand dollars to a separate fund meant to attract businesses to Illinois. Gov. Pritzker has called this a "closing fund," but according to WQAD, "House Majority Leader Greg Harris said last week that the fund would need to be further defined in law before any of the money could be spent."
This doesn't appear to be a point of contention between Republicans and Democrats, but more clarity may be needed before it is voted into law.
Alerts Sign-up