McHenry Times

Rep. Allen Skillicorn (R-Crystal Lake) opposes the new bill providing 15 percent raises for certain state department heads.

Skillicorn said Illinois cannot pay its current bills.

"At this very moment, the state is $7.5 billion behind in paying vendors," Skillicorn said in an interview with McHenry Times. "The last thing we should do is pass out raises to patronage hires."

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The bill passed Jan. 8 during the final days of the 100th General Assembly, timed be sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker instead of former Gov. Bruce Rauner.

"Dozens of retiring legislators voted for raises," Skillicorn said. "How many will be rewarded with state jobs for this vote? How many were just voted out of office? This literally is taxation without representation."

The bill, which tacked raises to the salaries of 49 state employees onto changes in the state's lottery law, passed with 68 yes votes to 37 no votes. Two members voted "present." 

Skillicorn questioned why lawmakers didn't insist on reforms in exchange for their votes.

"Why weren’t pension reforms included with these salary spikes? Why include automatic pay raises going forward? Ordinary citizens don’t get guaranteed taxpayer-funded raises every year. Raises should be earned, not political, not like this," Skillicorn said.

A March report from WalletHub published by the Illinois Policy Institute found Illinois to be the most overburdened state when it comes to taxes.