Republicans in the Illinois Senate will all hold a caucus or committee leadership post this session.
Republicans hold the dubious distinction because of a November shellacking in the General Election. The State Journal-Register reports that every GOP senator will receive a stipend for extra work on top of a $68,000 salary. Some will even pull double duty. The 59-seat Senate has 21 standing committees but just 19 Republicans.
Democrats added five seats in the fall election to rule with an unprecedented 40 votes. The GOP allowances range from about $10,000 for ranking Republicans on committees to the $27,000 that Christine Radogno receives as Senate minority leader. Republican senators doubling up on work will only get one stipend.