“All too often, politicians make campaign promises that they never keep,” said Lawson. “I want to go to Springfield to change the way Illinois works, and it starts with me – I will not take a legislative pension and I will return all taxpayer contributions to the small pension I received from Schaumburg Township.”
On September 14th, Better Government Association Executive Director Andy Shaw outlined the organization’s stance in a Chicago Sun-Times Op-Ed piece. The good government group called on municipalities to end the practice of giving pension sweeteners and other wasteful perks that governments dole out to public employees. Shaw outlined ending the practices of spiking (end of career salary boosts), double-dipping (collecting a pension and salary concurrently), and tacking (consultants and contractors that improperly receive pensions).
“My neighbors asked me to run for State Representative because they know I am honest and have the ability to work with both sides to get things done,” Lawson said. “While my opponent refuses to give up her legislative pension, I am willing to set an example and not take a legislative pension, as well as returning whatever taxpayer contribution I have received from Schaumburg Township. I agree with the case that the BGA has set out and look forward to advocating on behalf of honest, effective government.”
Lawson is challenging freshman Democrat Michelle Mussman in the northwest suburban 56th State House District.
