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Illinois' Special Legislative Session Will Be Costly For Taxpayers

By Associated Press

Springfield, IL – ILLINOIS TAXPAYERS WILL HAVE TO COUGH UP $80,000 OR MORE TO PAY FOR STATE LAWMAKERS' RETURN TO SPRINGFIELD THIS WEEK.

GOVERNOR ROD BLAGOJEVICH CALLED A SPECIAL SESSION FOR WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY TO DEAL WITH WHAT HE SAYS IS AN OUT-OF-BALANCE STATE BUDGET. HE WANTS LEGISLATORS TO APPROVE NEW REVENUE STREAMS TO SUPPORT THEIR SPENDING PLANS.

EACH LEGISLATOR IS ENTITLED TO $129 A DAY FOR LODGING AND MEALS TOTALING ABOUT $45,000. THEY GET $0.50 A MILE FOR USING PERSONAL CARS. THAT COULD COST NEARLY $30,000.

ADMINISTRATION STAFF MEMBERS BASED IN CHICAGO LIKELY WILL SPEND THE NIGHT IN SPRINGFIELD AND OPERATING THE STATE PLANE BETWEEN CHICAGO TO SPRINGFIELD SHOULD PUT THE TOTAL OVER $80,000.

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