Leaders Seek To Speed Up Lawsuit Over Lawmaker Pay

Senate President John Cullerton and House Speaker Michael Madigan are trying to speed up the resolution of a lawsuit they filed against Gov. Pat Quinn over his decision to cut lawmakers' pay.

A spokeswoman for Cullerton says the two leaders are asking a Cook County Circuit judge to rule on the merits of the case following Sept. 18 oral arguments, rather than just on a motion for a preliminary injunction.

Quinn cut $13.8 million for legislative salaries from the state budget as a consequence for lawmakers' failure to address Illinois' nearly $100 billion pension crisis.

Madigan and Cullerton say the line-item veto is unconstitutional and violates the separation of powers.

Lawmakers, who already missed their August paycheck, would miss another one before the motion would be decided.