McHenry Times

State Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Lake Barrington) is criticizing lawmakers for granting themselves a pay raise within the recently passed $50.6 billion spending plan in Illinois.

“This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen,” said McLaughlin, according to an article in Advantage News. “I want to apologize to the taxpayer. I actually went out last year and thanked and apologized and asked were you aware that we passed a pay raise at 11 o’clock at night on a Thursday. They were shocked.”

The Democratic majority included the raises after giving themselves a boost in pay just last year. The compensation for members has now reached $89,675 per year. 

McLaughlin said that the pay raise makes Illinois legislators one of the highest-paid nationwide. The compensation surpasses that of lawmakers in nearby Iowa whose annual earnings amount to nearly $25,000. 

According to the Advantage News article, state Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) is pointing out that the election-year tax breaks are expiring, which means the grocery tax is returning and another gas tax hike is coming.

“It will be the second (pay increase) this year, Jan. 1 and now another on July 1, so people of Illinois are going to pay more in taxes, that's a given,” said Caulkins, according to News Advantage. 

Prior to signing the budget into law, Gov. J.B. Pritzker touted its "transformative" investments.

 "This budget makes transformative investments in the children and families of Illinois while building on our record of fiscal responsibility," Pritzker said in a statement. "I look forward to the House taking up this budget that will make child care and education more accessible, healthcare more affordable, and our state's business and economic position even stronger."

The Illinois Senate passed the budget May 25. The House passed it May 27. The bill was signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on June 7.

Currently, in his second term representing the 52nd District, McLaughlin secured his position after defeating Democrat Mary Morgan in the November elections, securing 53% of the vote. 

McLaughlin sits on the Elections & Campaign Finance, Ethics & Elections, Appropriations-General Service, and Revenue & Finance committees.