Top Illinois lawmakers sue Gov. Quinn over pay freeze

[Politically_Incorrect12]

The top state lawmakers in Illinois are suing Gov. Pat Quinn after he halted the salaries of legislators because of their failure to find a solution to the state's $100 billion pension crisis.

House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton, both Democrats, filed the 12-page complaint with the Circuit Court of Cook County Tuesday, calling Quinn's actions "purely political and unconstitutional."

"This matter is of fundamental constitutional importance, as Governor Quinn's action threatens the independence of each branch of government," Cullerton and Madigan said in a joint news release. "The Illinois Constitution protects the salaries of members of the judiciary, the legislature, and the executive branch."

Quinn cut $13.8 million for lawmakers' paychecks in the state budget through his veto power earlier this month after threatening consequences if they failed to act promptly on addressing the pension problem. When members of a bipartisan pension panel blew past another deadline the Chicago Democrat had set, he cut their salaries.

Read more: www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/07/31/top-illinois-democratic-lawmakers-sue-gov-quinn-over-pay-freeze/#ixzz2adFA5bpi

[zibazinski]

Good, time somebody with some guts started making politicians do their jobs. Wish the rest of the country would get on board.

[billisonboard]

Quinn's paycheck ploy — popular but poisonous www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-oped-0731-zorn-20130731,0,2147716.column

[EVT1]

Gotta be a member to read it- what's the gist?  I like the idea so far.

[billisonboard]

Jul 31, 2013 13:42:40 GMT -5 EVT1 said:

Gotta be a member to read it- what's the gist?  I like the idea so far.

Gist: Sounds good for this issue but what about the next and the next. Governor has line item and can cancel payments to the legislature whenever he wishes. What about the legislature not allocating a salary for the governor if he pisses them off. Great way to blackmail but not so great way to run co-equal branches of government.