State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-IL) has made a commitment to return money to the state from her district allotment every year since assuming office in 2013.
In the fiscal year 2013, Ives returned $6,152 and in fiscal year 2014 she gave back $11,533. In fiscal year 2015, Ives will return roughly $12,000, which represents over 17 percent of her annual office budget.
Ives and her staff have identified and implemented cost-saving measures, permitting them to end each fiscal year with a budget surplus.
"My commitment has always been to taxpayers and businesses who are stuck funding a government that is isn't always respectful of their hard work," Ives said. "Every office of government, at every level of government, needs to find ways to save money and operate more efficiently. We have asked families and businesses to bear the burden alone for far too long. The state has a long way to go in winning back the trust of taxpayers and businesses. Reducing office budgets is a small, but important first step."
Ives also has refused to accept a pension and pays for her own events out of pocket or by partnering with local businesses. Office furniture and equipment has been either donated or purchased out of pocket as well.
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