Springfield, IL … Stating the Illinois budget is full of false promises, State Representative Michael McAuliffe (R-Chicago) today voted against the Fiscal Year 09 budget.

“The economy is slumping. Gasoline and grocery costs are on the rise in addition to Cook County having the highest sales tax rate in the nation. Illinois families are forced to live within their means, yet the state continues to play by its own rules by paying for today’s programs with tomorrow’s money,” said McAuliffe.

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Springfield, IL … Stating the Illinois budget is all spending and not enough revenue, State Representative Michael McAuliffe (R-Chicago) today voted against the Fiscal Year 09 budget.

“The state is currently running on a deficit spending plan and the Democrats just passed a new budget that continues to spend without having appropriate revenues to pay for their laundry list of budget items,” McAuliffe said.

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Families allowed more time to file for Line of Duty Compensation

Springfield, IL … State Representative Michael McAuliffe (R-Chicago), and the House of Representatives, approved legislation Tuesday extending the time frame for filing a Line of Duty Compensation Claim.

“State law makes death benefits available to families of soldiers killed in the line of duty in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. The compensation provides additional financial relief to families grieving after losing a loved one after serving our country,” said McAuliffe.

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Springfield, IL … Standing up for Illinois families struggling to make ends meet during hard fiscal times, State Representative Michael McAuliffe (R-Chicago) and the House of Representatives rejected a pay raise 94-8 on Wednesday.

“During this slow economic time, people are losing their jobs, houses are foreclosing and the price of gas is nearly $4 a gallon. I simply can’t justify increasing legislators’ salaries when families are being over-taxed are struggling to pay their bills,” said McAuliffe.

The state’s Compensation Review Board sets the pay raises for judges, legislators and other state officials, including the governor. This year, the review board recommended boosting the base salary for lawmakers by 1 percent.

While the House rejected the pay raise, the issue must be voted on by the Senate. The Senate must approve the resolution opposing the salary increase and cost of living adjustment or else the income boost will go into effect July 1.

“Instead of giving pay raises to legislators, we need to provide tax relief to Illinois families,” said McAuliffe.

Rep. McAuliffe has sponsored legislation calling for a sales tax holiday during Memorial Day weekend and suspension of the state’s portion of the gasoline sales tax during the summer.

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