Tuesday, Jul. 14, 2009

Troopers' salaries will go to minimum wage if no state budget is passed

If legislators can't pass a budget Wednesday, Illinois State Police troopers' salaries will go to minimum wage.

Fred Scholl, Illinois State Trooper's Lodge 41's secretary, said Monday that troopers could be earning between $6.55 and $8 an hour. State troopers earn a starting salary of $38,328 a year.

"There's some debate about which minimum wage they would use, Illinois or federal," Scholl said.

State police Lt. Scott Compton said he believes troopers would be paid the minimum wage under the federal Fair Labor Standards -- $6.55 an hour. The minimum wage pay would be retroactive from July 1 -- the first day of the new budget year, Compton said.

"We are hopeful that won't happen," Compton said. "We hope the legislators will get together and pass a budget."

State police are facing budget cuts of between $20 million and $24 million, Compton said. The budget crunch may force the elimination of a class of 100 cadets and may lead to the elimination of 303 state police jobs.

The budget shortfall also means the state won't honor its contract, Scholl said, leaving troopers with smaller salaries and little recourse because of a no-strike clause.

Illinois State Police District 11 Capt. Mark Bramlett said it's something state employees go through, and despite the budget battle, troopers and investigators are still showing up to work.

"We don't pay much attention to it," Bramlett said. "I've heard people discuss it, but I don't think it's affecting morale."

Bramlett and Scholl agreed they hope state legislators pass a budget, but there is more concern this year because both sides don't have experience negotiating with Gov. Pat Quinn.

"Right now, everybody's who is supposed to be working is working, out in the street and working their cases," Bramlett said.

While Bramlett said most troopers don't expect a smaller paycheck, some expressed they do expect furloughs.

"If that's what we need to do to do our share, I think most people would understand that," Bramlett said. "Times are tough everywhere."