Illinois lawmakers are cutting their pay for the third straight year as the state struggles with a major budget deficit.
The Illinois Senate approved the pay cut 48-4 Wednesday. The House had passed the measure in May.
It requires lawmakers to take 12 unpaid furlough days and give up their annual cost-of-living increase. The cost for each legislator is about $3,900.
Democratic Sen. Dan Kotowski said it's important for legislators to share the pain so many others in state government are feeling.
But Sen. Annazette Collins disagreed.
The Chicago Democrat said lawmakers' base salary of $65,000 is not a lot. Collins says cutting that will make it harder for anyone but the rich to serve in the General Assembly.