Jones supports legislative pay raises

There are those who'll say, especially if they follow politics, that state officials aren't doing their jobs so why should they get a pay raise. Unfortunately after the failure of a recall measure in the state senate amongst other things, there are those who'll say they shouldn't get a pay raise. Unfortunately they get to vote on that, not us. Besides they already got a 10% raise last year. Crain's...

Senate President Emil Jones Jr. says Illinois lawmakers deserve the pay raises they're scheduled to receive over the next two years.

Jones wouldn't say Thursday whether he would let lawmakers vote on whether to reject the proposed raises. Unless legislators formally reject the money, the raises take effect automatically.

The state Compensation Review Board has recommended a $7,000 increase for lawmakers by next summer. Other state officials would get raises, too.