SPRINGFIELD - Illinois lawmakers earn a lot more than legislators in neighboring states, and they soon could be in line for even more.

After a recent 3.8 percent cost-of-living increase, Illinois lawmakers make a base salary of about $67,836. If a proposed pay increase isn't rejected later this year, that would jump to $72,985 by July of next year.

That's in comparison to a $25,000 annual salary for Iowa lawmakers and $31,350 for their Missouri colleagues, according to National Conference of State Legislatures data. Indiana lawmakers make an $11,600 base salary, but that will go to $20,700 in 2009.

Most states provide additional money for lawmakers who hold leadership posts, and nearly everyone gets a per diem allowances to cover mileage and other expenses when the legislature is in session.

Mark Wrighton, chairman of Millikin University's political science department, said Illinois has a legislature with some of the most responsibility in the country, so higher salaries just go with the job.

"It would make sense in that respect," Wrighton said.

Wrighton's last job was in New Hampshire, where lawmakers make just $100 per year.

Still, salaries are a touchy topic for politicians. Many back away from pay raises lest voters believe them to be greedy.

State Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, said that's especially true at a time when the state budget picture is so dismal. He said the state should pay its bills before lawmakers get bigger paychecks because that's how he ran his construction company.

"If there was any left over (after bills were paid), I took it," Forby said.

Lawmakers and other top Illinois state officials could be in line for a salary bump unless lawmakers vote to turn down the pay raises.

The Illinois House already has done that, but Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago, has made it clear he favors a salary increase.

Any vote on the matter likely wouldn't come until after November's election, meaning incumbent lawmakers might be able to dodge the potentially sticky issue in their campaigns.

Illinois State University political scientist Robert Bradley said he thinks that strategy will work, even though lawmakers also took pay raises in the last two years.

"Voters tend to have pretty notoriously short memories," Bradley said.

And Wrighton says the pay raise issue doesn't often cause lawmakers political problems, unless times are especially tough for voters.

"I think it might become more of an issue in an economic downturn," he said.

Illinois lawmakers got a raise last year, bumping their pay to $65,300. In 2006, after that year's election, their pay rose to $63,140 from $57,620.

Some, including many Republicans taking aim at Democrats in November, think a pay increase vote should come before the election. Now, the Senate doesn't plan to meet until after Election Day.

"I think the voters deserve to know where the legislature stands on the pay raises," said state Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich and other statewide officials also would see their pay increase under the plan. Blagojevich's salary, for example, would jump to about $192,700.

Blagojevich spokesman Brian Williamsen wouldn't say if the governor has an opinion on the raises or when a vote should be taken.

"That is up to the General Assembly," Williamsen said.

Even if the pay raises are approved, money would have to be included in the state budget to pay for them before they take effect.

Legislation that could be voted on to prevent lawmaker raises is House Joint Resolution 132.

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State of pay

Chart shows annual base salaries for Illinois lawmakers compared with neighboring states. Many make more for leadership positions and most get per diems to cover expenses from legislative sessions.

Illinois…$67,836

Iowa…$25,000

Indiana…$11,600 (will rise to $20,700 next year)

Wisconsin…$47,413

Missouri…$31,351

SOURCE: The National Conference of State Legislatures