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Bill

HB 4073

GA COMP-COLAS PROHIBITED

104th Regular Session Introduced by Jason Bunting and 27 co-sponsors

Illinois bill HB 4073 eliminates automatic cost-of-living adjustments for state legislators' salaries, requiring explicit legislative votes for any future pay increases.

Referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 4073

Legislative bill overview

HB 4073 would prohibit Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) for General Assembly members' compensation. The bill prevents automatic salary increases tied to inflation for Illinois state legislators, effectively freezing their base pay at current levels unless the legislature votes to explicitly increase it.

Why is this important

Legislator compensation directly affects government operating costs and reflects public policy on elected official pay. This proposal addresses concerns about automatic pay increases while raising questions about whether frozen salaries might affect recruitment and retention of legislative candidates, or create pressure for larger future pay adjustments.

Potential points of contention

  • Budget impact ambiguity: Unclear whether this creates long-term savings or shifts compensation pressures elsewhere (benefits, allowances, future lump-sum increases)
  • Recruitment and retention: Frozen salaries amid rising living costs could deter qualified candidates, potentially affecting legislative quality
  • Selective application: Bill targets only General Assembly; unclear if other state employees or constitutional officers face similar restrictions, raising equity questions
  • Political messaging vs. substance: COLA prohibition is largely symbolic given legislator salaries represent minimal state budget portions; may distract from larger fiscal issues

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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