Ill. Judges Fight for Pay Raises

[shawn703]

Illinois judges have taken their fight for cost-of-living raises vetoed by the governor to familiar turf: the courtroom.

The state Supreme Court has ordered Comptroller Daniel Hynes to give the judges a 2.8 percent raise despite the governor's veto. It argued that while the veto removed funding, it did not change the law obligating the state to pay them.

Cook County Circuit Judge Benjamin Novoselsky filed a complaint with the Supreme Court to direct Hynes to pay the raises to the state's more than 900 judges, including all seven Supreme Court justices. Judicial salaries range from $127,247 for associate circuit judges to $158,103 for justices of the Supreme Court.

The increase would mean about a $4,000 more a year for some jurists.

Meanwhile, Judges Ann Jorgensen and Stuart Nudelman sued Hynes and Gov. Rod Blagojevich in Cook County Circuit Court on behalf of all Illinois judges, arguing it is unconstitutional to refuse the pay increases.

Hynes said Tuesday he would not include the extra money when he issues the judges' July paychecks this week the first of the new fiscal year.

"This is not the time for raises, and all of us in leadership positions must make sacrifices," Hynes said. He agreed to cut his own agency's budget to help Blagojevich, a fellow Democrat, balance the budget.


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http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20030730_890.html

[saigon68]

1. THEY ARE OVERWORKED FROM SENTENCING POT SMOKERS

Typical response from an indolent class of swine who swill at the Public Trough.

[hang a left]

2. Hey now

didn't they just get a tax cut. and they should have some checks in the mail soon. quit snivelling