Illinois Senators Vote to Cut Their Salaries Again

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois lawmakers are taking steps to cut their salaries again as the state's huge budget problems drag on. The state Senate approved legislation Thursday that requires legislators to give up 12 days' worth of pay, or about $3,100 each.

The measure would also freeze pay for a variety of state officials. In all, it's supposed to save about $900,000. Democratic Sen. Dan Kotowski of Park Ridge is sponsoring the bill, which passed 52-0 and now goes to the House. This would be the fourth straight year lawmakers have taken a pay cut. The money saved is minuscule compared to the billions of dollars' worth of red ink in the state budget, but lawmakers consider it an important symbol that they're sharing the pain.  full story