SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) is refusing his food and lodging reimbursement for Wednesday's special session of the General Assembly.

Koehler has a long history of refusing to take extra compensation at a time when the state is struggling to pay its bills. He has voted to cut his own pay by nearly five percent for the past four years and donated his food and lodging compensation to charity when former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Gov. Pat Quinn called special sessions.

"This special session is ultimately about the state budget," Koehler said. "Legislators need to lead by example and show that we are willing to make the same sacrifices that so many families across Illinois have already made to cope with the tough economy."