Illinois is in a financial crisis, with more than nine billion dollars worth of unpaid bills. Newly elected state Representative Charlie Meier, from Highland, says lawmakers should step up to the plate and forego their own pay until the bills are paid.

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Meier feels maybe lawmakers would step up and make the bills a priority if they felt the same pain as those who are still waiting for their cash.

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Lawmakers have given up their pay raises for the past several years to help keep the pressure off the state's budget. Rep Meier says that's a great start, but it's not enough.

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Businesses, nursing homes, hospitals, and even school districts are still waiting to be paid from the state. Meier says lawmakers aren't the only ones who should give up their salaries until the debt is gone. He wants Governor Quinn, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, and Treasurer Dan Rutherford to do the same. Meier says if it takes three years to pay the debt, then that's how long they should forego their pay. Meier is a grain and livestock farmer by trade.