About a year ago Mike Galasso and Tim Evans, co-chairs of the Illinois Judges Association's Government Affairs Committee, began to plan for the 1998 Compensation Review Board's Report. Although there were meritorious arguments for increases in judicial salaries, Mike and Tim knew that pay raises are always sensitive political issues. Together they combined their calm, skillful leadership, and always remained optimistic.

The first step was to present data to the Board. The Joint Illinois State Bar Association-Chicago Bar Association Committee on Judicial Salaries, co-chaired by Richard W. Austin and Leonard F. Amari, and Judge William J. Bauer testified to a historical basis for state judges to receive comparable compensation to federal judges. The Board's Report, prepared by Chair Kevin M. Forde, agreed that a more substantial increase was justified, but acknowledged the political realities and provided for a 3% increase in July 1998 and 3% in 1999, in additional to the COLA.

The involvement of the organized bar was significant because the Boards of the CBA and ISBA voted to endorse the Report and therefore made their lobbyists available for us. Larry Sufferdin and Dan Houlihan, two of the most respected people in Springfield, would be key to our efforts. Mike and Tim also made a very important strategic decision early in the process. They noted the State's Attorneys were included in the Report for the first time. Through our relationship with the State's Attorneys Association and Dick Devine, we began to work with their representative in Springfield, Dallas Ingemunson. With this professional team in place, Mike and Tim organized our own judicial network.

The judiciary's legislative strength has always been in our diversity. Judges come from all around the state, from different political backgrounds, with relationships to other governmental officers. Mike and Tim surveyed judges about their relationships to legislators and collected their responses in a central data base. The Supreme Court was very supportive. Key judges, such as Donald P. O'Connell, were involved from the early stages. When the Board returned its Report on April 30, 1998, Mike and Tim were cautiously optimistic.

The focus then turned to the legislators themselves. In mid-May Mike Galasso, Lou Rathje, Al Green and I were warmly received by the leadership of both parties in the House and Senate. All the political leaders were very gracious, explaining their concern was not judicial raises, but the political impact of voting for their own raises. Speaker Michael Madigan and House Minority Leader Lee Daniels emphasized the difficult position faced by House Members who must stand for election every two years. It was clear the issue would be resolved in the Senate.

On May 21 Mike, Lou, Al and I were in Springfield again to be available during the voting. The House, as expected, rejected the Report, but with a surprising 19 votes to accept the Report and an additional 4 voting present. Senate President James "Pate" Phillip and Senate Minority Leader Emil Jones showed great leadership in their own parties, balancing the concerns of Senators up for election and our arguments for fair judicial compensation. Sen. James DeLeo and Sen. John Cullerton were especially gracious to Mike, Lou, Al and me. When the vote was finally called the evening of May 22, even the proponents of the resolution to reject the report were conciliatory, speaking only of their own raises. After a year of hard work, the rejection of the raises was voted down with 25 yes, 31 no, 2 present, and 1 not voting.

The Illinois Judges Association has much to celebrate. As leaders of the IJA, Mike Galasso and Tim Evans were the architects of a brilliant plan that was well executed by members across the state. Bridges were built between the legislature and judiciary, despite the natural tension of separate branches of government. And most significantly, the dedication of all Illinois Judges as public servants was recognized.

If you are a member of the IJA, you should pat yourself on the back and give yourself high fives! Your Association carried the day. On the other hand, if you are not a member, you will still notice the $500 or so increase in your August check. Remember you will get another increase next year. Those increases and the COLA will be there during the rest of your judicial career and will affect your pension as well. $150 for IJA annual dues is a very small percentage of the benefit you and your family will receive. Please join today.

Finally I urge all judges to express your gratitude to the members of the General Assembly. The names of the Representatives and Senators who voted with us (or did not vote which had the same effect) will be listed in the next issue of The Gavel. Kathy McEnroe at our office can help you with addresses. I also intend to thank the rest of the Representatives and Senators who thoughtfully considered our position, but who were unable to support the entire Report.

I am very proud of the activities of the IJA - Community Relations, Judicial Discipline, Electronic Media to name just a few. But right now, we need to take a moment and enjoy the fruits of our labor.

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