Illinois Lawmakers Literally Vote Themselves a Free Ride

The Daily Herald reports on looting the taxpayers:

While voting to allow seniors to ride buses and trains for free in exchange for a mass transit bailout Thursday, lawmakers age 65 and up may have felt a tinge of ethical conflict.

"You might have a slight conflict, but I hope you vote your conscience," said state Sen. Rickey Hendon, a Chicago Democrat.

State Rep. Rosemary Mulligan, a 66-year-old Des Plaines Republican, said that's what she did. Mulligan said she wasn't previously aware she's eligible for a half-price fare.

But being a senior and voting for seniors' free rides wasn't a concern to Mulligan. Despite her disagreements with portions of the mass transit plan, she supported it to help suburban commuters facing fare hikes and route cuts if a deal wasn't approved by Jan. 20.

"I didn't want to take it down. We've waited a long time," Mulligan said. "I couldn't see throwing everything into upheaval for that."

At least five senior lawmakers, including House Speaker Michael Madigan, a Chicago Democrat, voted in favor of the senior perk. Without those senior votes, it likely would not have been approved.

"I think some people made a joke about that (senior conflict) in the Senate debate," Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said. "If that were the case, legislators would have to exempt themselves from everything that benefits seniors, that benefits women ... across the board."

Senate President Emil Jones Jr., also a Chicago Democrat and senior, criticized lawmakers who said the senior transit perk should be tied to income.

"When I go to McDonald's and get my coffee a lot of times, I get a senior discount," Jones said. "They don't ask me how much money I make."

The seniors.