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