Aug 12, 2008 6:58 am US/Central
Proposed Pay Raise Overshadows State Session
Legislators Want 12 Percent Raise; Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn Leaflets Against It
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS) ―
Summer vacation is over for state lawmakers, who are heading back to Springfield Tuesday for a special session called by Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
As CBS 2's Joanie Lum reports, the state is tackling numerous difficult issues – including construction plans and education funding – and billions of dollars are at stake. Blagojevich called lawmakers to Springfield for a two-day special session to consider these matters.
But the entire affair may be overshadowed by a proposed pay raise for legislators at a time when taxpayers are struggling.
Blagojevich gave a speech about the state budget at the City Club of Chicago on Monday. In an odd scene, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn stood outside the location of the governor's scheduled appearance, handing out fliers declaring, "Stop Political Pay Raises Now."
CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery said he can't remember seeing anything like Quinn's protest. Meanwhile, Blagojevich snuck in a side door.
The protest did not impress Illinois Senate President Emil Jones. He said legislators need the raise.
"I have members of my caucus who are single parents, who feel very strongly that they deserve a pay raise," Jones said.
A cost of living adjustment has already been approved for legislators, but they want an additional 7.5 percent raise, for a total of 12 percent. Unless both the state House and Senate vote against the raise, it will kick in automatically.
To avoid Quinn and reporters waiting at the front door, the governor snuck in a back door to deliver his speech. When cornered later, though, he criticized state senators who are blocking a floor vote likely to kill the unpopular proposal.
"The last thing they should be doing is giving themselves pay raises," Blagojevich said.
Earlier, Jones introduced the governor for his speech to the City Club of Chicago. Blagojevich opened by poking fun at his record-low standing in voter opinion polls and, when given a coffee mug, noted the ongoing federal investigations he faces.
"Better a mug than a mug shot, right?" Blagojevich said. "This is such a tough job, you know, I think it's fair to say I have fewer friends now than I had before I was governor."
Calling Jones one of his most loyal friends, Blagojevich added, "Emil and I are homeboys, man. … There are times I consider myself the first African-American governor of Illinois."
State Comptroller Dan Hynes said Monday it doesn't immediately matter even if the pay raise is enacted. He said there's no budget appropriation for the raises and they won't happen without one.
The House rejected pay raises in May.
In addition to the pay raise, Blagojevich hopes to discuss a $25 billion series of capital projects, among them repairs to bridges that have been rated in poorer shape than the I-35W bridge that collapsed in Minneapolis last year. Blagojevich also wants to tackle improvements to the CTA and improvements in the City of Chicago before the International Olympic Committee picks its 2016 host city next year.
But Flannery says it is possible that no action will be taken on any of these matters, and it is unclear whether House Speaker Michael Madigan is on board with any of the governor's proposals.
CBS 2's Joanie Lum, Political Editor Mike Flannery, and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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