Quinn Says Taxpayers Agree Lawmakers Shouldn't Be Paid

Sep 30, 2013 7:42 AM

Gov. Pat Quinn says if lawmakers can't fix Illinois' pension crisis, they shouldn't get paid. And he says taxpayers agree with him.

The Chicago Democrat told reporters Friday he'll continue to not accept a paycheck.

He spoke one day after Cook County Judge Neil Cohen ruled Quinn's veto of money for lawmaker salaries was unconstitutional. The judge ordered the state to immediately issue the two checks legislators had missed.

Earlier Friday, Cohen also denied Quinn's request to stop paychecks while he appeals.

Quinn vetoed the money in July as a consequence of inaction on Illinois' nearly $100 billion pension crisis.

He said Friday if lawmakers don't get pension reform done they shouldn't be paid. He says "I think that's what the public feels. That's what taxpayers feel."