Pritzker signs pay-raise law for cabinet members
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed a law allowing him to pay 15 percent more to his cabinet and assistant directors of agencies.
Pritzker took action Friday on his first order of business before even taking office on Monday.
He urged Democrats who control the General Assembly last week to increase salaries for top jobs like the Transportation secretary and prisons-systems director to $172,500 from $150,000.
Pritzker argued the old law didn't provide salaries sufficient to lure top talent .
Springfield Republican Rep. Tim Butler noted that middle managers have had salaries frozen for up to 20 years. He says the jobs don't draw bright minds from private industry.
The billionaire governor also announced last week that he will double the salaries of 20 top staff members by using his own money.