SPRINGFIELD - The paychecks Illinois lawmakers take home are already tops among neighboring states, and they soon could be in line for even more.

After a recent 3.8 percent cost of living increase, state lawmakers make a base salary of about $67,836. And if a proposed pay hike isn't rejected later this year, that sum could grow to $72,985 by July 2009.

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

Most states provide for additional money for lawmakers who hold leadership posts, and nearly everyone gets a per diem 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 previous job was in New Hampshire, where lawmakers make just $100 per year and have less responsibility.

Still, salaries can be 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 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 the pay raises down.

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 wouldn't likely 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 past two years.

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

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 hike 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 would also 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 thoughts on 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.

Mike Riopell can be reached at mike.riopell@lee.net or 789-0865.