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Gonna be a while

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State lawmakers and top elected officials have missed their last two paychecks as the Illinois budget war continues, and they might not get their April payment until July.

April was when Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger decided to put legislative paychecks into the same long line for payment that everyone else waiting for payment in the state is standing in. […]

On Monday, Carter said Munger’s office had 53,752 vouchers awaiting payment in their office. The state pays them as it gets more money in.

By Wednesday, that number had risen to 74,852, and Illinois was on track to pay bills about 48 working days late, he said.

And if no real budget passes, then that wait’s gonna be a lot longer.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 1:04 pm

Comments

Good for Leslie Munger.

Comment by Indochine Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 1:05 pm
Bold move, Cotton, let’s see how this one plays out.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 1:09 pm
Actually, shouldn’t it be shorter since absent a budget no other vouchers beyond what has a continuing approp would be going to the Comptroller’s office?

Comment by Juice Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 1:10 pm
–On Monday, Carter said Munger’s office had 53,752 vouchers awaiting payment in their office. The state pays them as it gets more money in.–

Please tell me they aren’t all in the “same, long line” and that there is some triage and setting of priorities.

That’s not advocating putting legislators at the front of the line, by any means.

But I would like to know who’s getting paid first and the reasons for that.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 1:11 pm
It may be politically sexy to refuse to pay legislators, but it is unconstitutional and violates several laws to refuse to pay them. Nice to know Munger is supposed to follow the constitution but doesn’t give a damn about it.

Comment by regerts Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 1:12 pm
Nice to be in a state that is based on the rule of law.

Comment by Triple fat Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 1:18 pm
So much for the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 1:44 pm
Though prescient, it’s a clear political move urged by the governor I’m sure, and as a couple others have pointed out - not following the law.

Comment by Captain Illini Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 1:47 pm
Good.

She is not refusing to pay them. She is just paying them like everyone else.

Get in line.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 1:55 pm
Regerts, she’s not refusing to pay them. They just have to wait in line to get paid. You know, like the state’s vendors have to.

Comment by ??? Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 1:57 pm
Exactly right. Get in line. Nothing at all unconstitutional about it. The only ones saying that are nakedly partisan.

Through this mess, Munger consistently has been even-handed and professional urging compromise and providing facts to the voters.

Comment by Indochine Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 1:57 pm
Bad move. Now where is my tax refund?

Comment by Angry Bird Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 2:02 pm
==Nice to know Munger is supposed to follow the constitution but doesn’t give a damn about it.==

Like the GA and AG after Speaker Madigan waited so long to make a decision about the pay raise?
https://capitolfax.com/2015/07/30/cullerton-will-call-pay-raise-rollback-bill/

=Senate President John Cullerton will support a bill to halt legislative pay raises during the Senate session next week, despite calling the measure “blatantly unconstitutional.”=

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 2:08 pm
Eh, the concept of holding paychecks is seriously all a political messaging stunt purely designed to influence and win a messaging war, and apply pressure from one branch onto the other branch. The interesting thing that isn’t mentioned here…they’re on track to pay 48 days late, and if the delay increases, and hits I believe 90 days late (or it could be something else, like 60 days, I can’t recall at present) then there is an interest due that the State will owe on those unpaid, late reimbursement vouchers–which yep, of course, would end up costing the State and taxpayers even more money.

At least this is my recollection, but I could be off…someone here would know better than I.

Comment by *...* Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 2:41 pm
====Thursday

Most likely you are referring to (30 ILCS 540/) State Prompt Payment Act. I think this only applies to vendor payments not payroll……If payment is not issued to the payee within this 60-day period, an interest penalty of 1.0% of any amount approved and unpaid shall be added for each month or fraction thereof after the end of this 60-day period, until final payment is made

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 2:47 pm
Does anyone know if their using there campaign committees to supplement their incomes?

Comment by atsuishin Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 2:51 pm
The tax money keeps rollin’ in so the need for a budget does not come into play. The line is long unless you have the BigBrain/Wingman Secret Handshake or the route to VSI.

Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:16 pm
How long is Leslie waiting for her big bucks?

Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 3:16 pm
Just don’t stop paying the lottery winner again - we have to keep our priorities straight here !

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 4:03 pm
==But I would like to know who’s getting paid first==.

“I directed my staff to prioritize payments to MAP students and institutions most in need – including Chicago State, NEIU, EIU and WIU.”-Munger’s tweet

Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 4:26 pm
Disclosure in Illinois - what a concept.

Way to go -

Comment by cannon649 Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 10:50 pm