Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) wants lawmakers to end a loophole that provides bonus pay to legislators. | Courtesy Photo
Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) wants lawmakers to end a loophole that provides bonus pay to legislators. | Courtesy Photo
Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) has proposed legislation to cancel exit bonuses that pay lawmakers a full month’s worth of fees for only a few days of work.
For example, former Rep. Edward Kodatt could have received $5,788 for February despite resigning from his new position after three days. Though Kodatt communicated to the Illinois comptroller that he would not accept this money, this is the rule in question.
The financial loophole reported by WAND17 is an item that Caulkins wishes to overturn.
“There has to be serious reform. The taxpayers, the voters, aren’t going to take us seriously until we clean up our own house, and that’s the bottom line,” he said WAND17 reported.
Under current state statute, a lawmaker can be compensated for a full month’s work, even if they have worked as little as one day. If Caulkins’ proposal were to pass, this lump-payment practice would be discontinued within Illinois.
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