Elmhurst Politician Gives Raise To Charity

Elmhurst IL

25 November, 2020

10:04 AM

Description

ELMHURST, IL — State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi, R-Elmhurst, has refused all legislative pay increases and instead donated that salary to local charities each quarter, she said in a news release this week. In Illinois, representatives get about $70,000 a year, more than the state's median household income. In addition, they get per diem for days they are in Springfield. This quarter, Mazzochi is supporting the Elmhurst Walk-in Assistance Network, which provides emergency financial support, and other organizations that help local residents with food and rent, the release said. "EWAN is one of many great local nonprofits that does amazing work to help people stay on their feet when life throws them a curveball," said Mazzochi, a founding partner in a Chicago law firm. "We here in the 47th District are resilient, but sometimes even the strongest among us just needs a little help." Mazzochi encouraged residents who can to help out ahead of Giving Tuesday on Dec. 1. "Too many people in our communities are still experiencing upheaval on both the financial and health care side," Mazzochi said. "We're still in the midst of an economic slump in view of the governor's COVID-related orders, and we're entering the holiday period, which will be tough for so many." According to the news release, over the last two fiscal years, over the objections of Republicans, House Democrats have secured a pay raise for legislators, something Rep. Mazzochi called "even more deeply objectionable when so many are suffering because of COVID-related effects and economic shutdowns." A recent jobs report showed 73,515 new jobless claims during the last week of October. The previous week saw 53,138, meaning that Illinois had the second largest weekly increase in the nation and the largest total number of increased claims, according to Mazzochi's news release. Illinois lawmakers receive the fifth-highest base salary in the country and that number is set to increase every year, despite lawmaker performance or Illinois' fiscal condition, because a 1990 law gives Illinois legislators an automatic pay raise every year tied to the cost of living, the release said. The General Assembly can vote on a bill to forgo this increase and the per diem and mileage reimbursement. Mazzochi has sponsored legislation every year to do just that. However, she said the House Democrats refused to consider the legislation either this year or last year.