And why shouldn’t Illinois Democrats get their share of taxpayer dollars.  After all – it’s not like taxpayers have expressed their frustration w/the cut the gov’t gets.  From the Chicago Tribune:

House Democrats today blocked a Republican effort to prevent lawmakers and other state officials from collecting a 2.8 percent annual cost-of-living increase July 1.

Rep. Bill Black (R-Danville) sponsored the legislation to stop the raise, saying it would save about $2 million. The state budget hole is estimated at $11.6 billion over two years.

“It isn’t going to solve the debt situation,” Black said. “But at least you can go home and say, ‘Hey, I understand, and I’m going to do my part, and I’m going to pass up my raise.’ ”
Black’s procedural move to get the measure called for an up-or-down vote failed 64-50, largely along party lines.

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