SPRINGFIELD—Legislation co-sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) to freeze legislators’ reimbursement rates and salaries was signed into law today. House Bill 643 passed both chambers with bipartisan support and had been on the governor’s desk since June 29.

“Given the state’s recent financial trouble and the fact that most working adults do not receive a cost of living adjustment, this is commonsense legislation to save taxpayers money,” Murphy said. “I’m glad the governor finally signed this bill into law.”

Without this legislation, per diem rates for legislators would have increased from $111 per day to $142 and mileage reimbursements would have climbed from $0.39 to $0.535 per mile.

General Assembly members have not received a cost of living adjustment since fiscal year 2009.

SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Laura Murphy released the statement below after the Illinois Senate voted to override Governor Rauner’s veto of the bipartisan budget proposal that passed the Senate earlier in the day.

“For over two years Governor Rauner’s refusal to participate in budget discussions and his insistence on tying non-budget items to the budget continues to put the very future of our state at risk. Centers that serve seniors and those with disabilities have closed, colleges and universities are on the threshold of losing accreditation and schools may not open this fall.

“Today’s veto threatens to put the state into junk bond status, which will ultimately cost taxpayers millions more in the long run and prevent the stability new businesses need to expand in our state. This is absolutely unacceptable. I stood up for middle-class families who have shouldered the burden of this impasse.  

“I applaud the group of lawmakers, both democrats and many republicans, who have chosen to buck the governor and provide stability for the future of our state so we can finally start to move forward on sorely needed reforms.”

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SPRINGFIELD- State Senator Laura Murphy released the statement below after a budget deal passed the Senate to put an end to the over two-year budget impasse.

“Today, the Senate voted for a balanced, bipartisan budget to put an end to the impasse that has threatened the future of our state.

“This budget will finally stop the financial bleeding that has cost the state of Illinois over $11 million a day, threatened to put Illinois in junk bond status, eliminated services for seniors and those with disabilities and threatened schools from opening on time. The lack of a budget prevented job growth and job creators from locating in Illinois.

“This is a budget that ensures schools open on time and road work continues. It protects middle class jobs from being eliminated and reinstates MAP grants for college and university students.

“I encourage the governor to immediately sign our proposal to prevent our state from plummeting to junk bond status and further destroying our state.”

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SPRINGFIELD- The Illinois Department of Transportation recently announced nearly 700 roadwork projects, including much of the construction on the Kennedy Expressway, will halt after June 30 due to the ongoing state budget impasse.

“Prolonging construction on the Kennedy Expressway, one of the busiest in the entire country, makes our roads more dangerous and increases the daily commute time of thousands of people across the Northwest Suburbs,” said State Sen. Laura Murphy, a Des Plaines Democrat.

IDOT also estimated the construction delay could put up to 25,000 people out of work.

“The so-called pro-businesses governor should realize laying off thousands of workers and creating barriers for others to commute to work every day will have a long-term negative impact on our state’s economy and does nothing to encourage job creators to come to Illinois,” Murphy said. “This is yet another example of how Gov. Rauner’s failure to negotiate a balanced budget is having a real impact on the lives of everyday Illinoisans.”

While the state continues to collect the tax dollars to pay for these projects through the gas tax, the money cannot be spent without a state budget.

Last month, the Senate voted to authorize the nearly $2.3 billion in spending to allow these projects to continue. Sen. Murphy supported the proposal.

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