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IL Taxpayers Paid $1.7M for Legislator Expenses
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- A government watchdog group says Illinois state legislators could save taxpayer money by spending less on their lodging in Springfield and travel to and from the state capitol.

Kristina Rasmussen of the Illinois Policy Institute tells The Daily Herald that legislators could save money by taking trains or carpooling.

The newspaper reports that it costs taxpayers $111 every day a legislator spends in Springfield. Legislators receive 39 cents a mile for driving expenses. The $111 allowance combined with mileage totaled $1.7 million last year.

Legislators argue that taxpayers don't expect them to pay for their own mileage and expenses and in Springfield. They also say the reimbursements allow anyone to serve in elected office.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
08 10 11 by Newsroom
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