Q: Why are unions protesting at the Statehouse?

A: The unions have their own list of 11 bills they want stopped, including a permanent ban on collective bargaining by state employees, a prohibition on project labor agreements for public works projects and limits on teacher collective bargaining rights, among others. According to the unions' daily "Why We Stand" report, they say, "We will not stand by and let out-of-state special interests and big business hijack our state."

Q: Are the Democrats getting paid? Who is paying for their hotel?

A: The House Democrats are being paid their regular salary and daily expenses, known as a per diem. State legislators earn $22,600 a year, plus $155 for every day the legislature is in session, from mid-November until April 29, regardless of whether the House meets. So yesterday all 100 Representatives were paid their $155 per diem even though the House didn't meet and rarely meets on Sundays. The House Democrats have promised to repay their per diem for every day they stay in Illinois. The Indiana Democratic Party is paying for the hotel, though some representatives plan to repay the party.

Q: How swanky is this place they're staying?

A: The Democrats are at the Comfort Suites in Urbana. A room with a king bed and continental breakfast for tonight costs $99. The 86-room hotel has an indoor pool, hot tub and fitness center. It is about one mile north of the main campus of the University of Illinois.

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