Barickman won’t take paycheck during Illinois budget deadlock

Jason Barickman
State Sen. Jason Barickman said he won’t take a paycheck during the budget impasse. (Photo courtesy Facebook/Jason Barickman)

By Eric Stock

SPRINGFIELD – A law that Illinois legislators pushed through on the final day of the spring session last year has come into play today since there’s no state budget.

Republican State Sen. Jason Barickman of Bloomington said Democratic lawmakers made sure they get paid in the event of a government shutdown.

“That was a partisan roll call vote,” Barickman said, noting he voted against it.

PODCAST: Listen to Dan and Colleen’s interview with Barickman on WJBC.

Barickman told WJBC’s Dan Swaney he won’t take a paycheck.

“I don’t think its fair that lawmakers would be paid when other state employees are not, so I’ve asked the comptroller to hold my check,” Barickman said.

Lawmakers have introduced a measure that would enable state employees to get paid through a continuing appropriation.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…