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Hammond wants prison’s bill paid to avoid shutoff

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“The Office of the State Comptroller’s website shows that today it has more than $404 million to pay down the state’s bills. Despite having that revenue available, Comptroller Mendoza is refusing to process a $78,000 water bill for the Western Correctional Center. Because of her inaction, the facility is threatened with losing access to clean water and sewage service, creating a potential health and safety crisis for the state’s western region. Comptroller Mendoza has both the authority and cash-on-hand to pay this bill today and avoid what could become a catastrophe – she should do so immediately.”

I’m told that the Department of Corrections sent two invoices to the comptroller on December 2nd totaling $78,000. I’m not certain when IDOC received the bill, but if it’s reached the point where the prison is facing a water/sewer shutoff, you’d think the Rauner administration would’ve submitted that payment request a whole lot sooner. Unless, of course, there’s some politics involved.

There’s also a six-month bill payment backlog these days, so it could be a while before that bill is paid unless Mendoza personally intervenes and pays the invoice ahead of somebody else.

Anyway, this is precisely the sort of pressure Comptroller Mendoza can expect from here on out.

…Adding… A very good suggestion from RNUG in comments…

Two can play that game. Mendoza can flag any vouchers held at the agency more than 30 days (or 60 if you prefer) and, instead of putting them in line, shuffle them aside on a “low priory by the agency” pile to be paid whenever the State has extra money to catch up.

Getting the bills out of the agencies and into the Comptroller’s office in a timely fashion will draw the true picture of where the State stands.

* Meanwhile, from a press release…

A group of sixteen House Republican legislators are calling on State Comptroller Susana Mendoza to keep her promise of maintaining former Comptroller Leslie Munger’s policy of “No Budget No Pay’ in place with regard to payment of state lawmaker salaries. Twelve State Representatives and four State Senators sent a letter to Comptroller Mendoza today urging her to defend “No Budget No Pay” in the face of a lawsuit filed by six House Democrat legislators on December 2 suing the Comptroller for delaying payment of their salaries.

“Social service providers and many others who rely upon the state to meet its financial obligations are being adversely impacted, to put it mildly, by the General Assembly’s failure to pass a comprehensive budget,” Rep. McDermed said. “We are calling on the new Comptroller to stand with us in support of the individuals and families whose lives are being irreparably harmed due to the lack of stability in our budget.”

“We do not believe that payment of legislator salaries should be prioritized over the funding of health care and social service providers or others enduring the long delay in state payments,” Rep. Batinick added. “The principle of “No Budget No Pay” should be kept in place; and the General Assembly should come together immediately to pass a responsible state budget in order to prevent further erosion of our social safety net and damage to our economy.”

Attached is a copy of the letter that was sent to Comptroller Mendoza.

She’s already said that she’s against the lawsuit, but, again, this is just the sort of thing to expect for the next two years. The letter is here, by the way.

* Related…

* Editorial: Forget the furniture and do the job: Unless Mendoza can point to specific missing files, furniture or important equipment, it’s regrettable she complained, even if only in response to a reporter’s specific question. She was a good Chicago city clerk and could be a good state comptroller. She only diminishes her reputation for competence by complaining about nothing much.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 1:33 pm

Comments

” I’m not certain when IDOC received the bill, but if it’s reached the point where the prison is facing a water/sewer shutoff, you’d think the Rauner administration would’ve submitted that payment request a whole lot sooner. Unless, of course, there’s some politics involved.”

Vouchergate–The uh-oh moment when folks realize that there are $billions more in payables being held at the agency level to artificially maintain a lower balance at the Comptrollers.

$11billion plus ….. yikes. Good job Rauner, like your style there. /s

Comment by cdog Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 1:44 pm
Dear Rep. Hammond,

Western Illinois University waits for you to care about them.

Signed,

Those who care about Higher Ed

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 1:46 pm
Why doesn’t Mendosa quote that great statesman and remind us that she just got this job, she didn’t create this bill backlog, so don’t blame her.

Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 1:50 pm
== Vouchergate–The uh-oh moment when folks realize that there are $billions more in payables being held at the agency level to artificially maintain a lower balance at the Comptrollers. ==

Two can play that game. Mendoza can flag any vouchers held at the agency more than 30 days (or 60 if you prefer) and, instead of putting them in line, shuffle them aside on a “low priory by the agency” pile to be paid whenever the State has extra money to catch up.

Getting the bills out of the agencies and into the Comptroller’s office in a timely fashion will draw the true picture of where the State stands.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 1:51 pm
=Why doesn’t Mendosa quote that great statesman and remind us that she just got this job, she didn’t create this bill backlog, so don’t blame her.=

Or Comptroller Mendoza could quote the governor by responding-

Dear Norrine,

Change is hard, the governor said so, just ask WIU.

All My Best,

SM

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 1:55 pm
Norrine Hammond: Demanding money be released for prisons…silent on money for the public university in her back yard.

Solid priorities there Rep.

Comment by Signal and Noise Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 2:01 pm
GSA is scheduled to go out tomorrow, which is likely why the cash on hand is so large as of right now. So if Rep. Hammond would like to see this bill get paid, she should pick which school in her district is going to get shortchanged.

Comment by Juice Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 2:01 pm
This is interesting because in less than two weeks the appropriation to pay ALL prison water bills expires. At least that’s what generally happens if there is no stopgap. This Rep doesn’t even mention that. Maybe I’m getting into the conspiracy theory weeds here, but it’s kinds reads like he is ting up and argument to blame the comptroller when the no stopgap fallout hits the fan.

Comment by Unsolicited Advice Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 2:06 pm
RNUG, let’s hope the folks holding the dice/cards see your suggestion.

Comment by cdog Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 2:09 pm
===less than two weeks the appropriation to pay ALL prison water bills expires===

Nope.

The approp is for expenses incurred during the approp period. That period ends on 12/31. They have until I think August to pay that bill.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 2:10 pm
Rich, right they can pay that bill but no new bills incurred after the 31st. That seems problematic for DOC to me.

Comment by Unsolicited Advice Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 2:13 pm
Perhaps Rep. Hammond can get on the Superstars to submit those Meals on Wheels bills to the comptroller.

It’s only been six months.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 2:19 pm
I knew if I waited around long enough I would find out what a real ‘fiscal conservative’ was.

Comment by blue dog dem Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 2:21 pm
And if Munger had won reelection Norinne wouldn’t have said a thing. Thanks for everything, Norine. You’re really doing a swell job representing our district. /s

Comment by Macomb Resident Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 2:21 pm
That’s a wonderful letter signed by legislators who don’t miss their paychecks. Oberweis…LOL!!! Please…count up each one of their NO votes against every constituency they just laid out in that fake partisan letter. Whatever.

Comment by sideline watcher Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 2:21 pm
(suggested letter from Mendoza)

Dear Mr. Baldwin,

Earlier this month, I received two invoices totaling $78,000 to provide water for the Western Correctional Center.

Given the state’s six month backlog, I’m concerned about the timing of your delivery of this invoice.

Please let me know (1) when you received the first water bill, (2) why it took so long to deliver any invoice to the comptroller’s office, and (3) whether anyone in the governor’s office directed you to delay sending invoices to the comptroller’s office.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 2:35 pm
I guess Sara Jimenez needs her check since she didn’t sign the letter. Life’s hard when you have to do more than carry the first lady’s purse.

Comment by Muy interesante. Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 2:38 pm
What a contrast between the four or so House Dems SUING to get paid ahead of social service providers and others (who are owed over a longer time period often) versus 16 House Reps saying pay those services providers before legislators.

There’s some easy messaging right there.

Comment by Deft Wing Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 3:16 pm
City Springpatch could speed up the budget process by having CWLP shut off the power to the state Cap and other office buildings. January 11th would be a good day, bet That would get a deal done. Then all the other utility Cos could get paid along with the 1000s of vendors and service providers that have a satke in the $11.2 billion.

Comment by the Cardinal Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 3:17 pm
This is rich, a Republican’t wants a bill paid because a state employees staffed by AFSCME members could be shut down for non-payment of the water bill. Where was the hooting and hollering the last time local utilities were threatening to shut off the water?

Could this be used as a break in the raunerite ranks to force a budget?

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 3:28 pm
And the ILGOP continue to legislate as if they have a mandate. Or did they inherit the mandate? I get confused . . .

Change is Hard . . .

Comment by Now What? Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 3:44 pm
One thing Leslie Munger learned pretty quickly was that it was hard to please everybody — or anybody — in this job. Good luck, SM.

Comment by Team America Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 3:50 pm
Six Democrats sue in order that they get paid. Sixteen Republicans say let’s have a balanced budget first.

Looks to me like some want to actually do there job and some just want to get paid for doing nothing.

Comment by Big Muddy Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 4:29 pm
== The approp is for expenses incurred during the approp period. That period ends on 12/31. They have until I think August to pay that bill. ==

Assuming the half year stopgap approp is viewed as part of the FY17 budget (which is how I would look at it), they could pay the bill anytime up to the end of the lapse period, which would be Sept. 30, 2017.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 7:20 pm
Norine Hammond claiming “inaction” on the part of Comptroller is a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Hammond’s inaction on the plight of Western Illinois University has resulted in great harm to Western Illinois University with the cascading effect of hurting the entire region. Hammond refused to debate her general election opponent but made the effort to take Rauner money to run attack ads that featured untruthful allegations against her squeaky clean opponent. “No Show Norine” picks and chooses which constituents to represent.

Comment by Illinoised Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 8:24 pm
I really like RNUG’s idea.

Also, I would offer every single lawmaker who believes that the GA should not get paid until a full budget is passed a form they can sign that would authorize the Comptroller to withhold that lawmaker’s pay until a budget is passed.

I would offer the same form to every single member of the governor’s cabinet and his leadership staff.

Let me know when anyone from Team Rauner that isn’t a billionaire volunteers to go without pay indefinitely.

Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 8:52 pm
RNUG

===Assuming the half year stopgap approp is viewed as part of the FY17 budget (which is how I would look at it), they could pay the bill anytime up to the end of the lapse period, which would be Sept. 30, 2017.===

Agree, except I think the lapse period is now 60 days so that would be Aug 31, 2017.

Comment by justacitizen Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 9:32 pm
- justacitizen -

I don’t know if the lapse period has changed or not.

Thought the only change since I was last back at work was the “improved” Prompt Payment Act that changed the “no interest” period from 60 days to 90 days.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 10:45 pm
Has the state hit that point where every thing is on the verge of bankruptcy and we wake up to a press release from GTCR stating they just acquired every business in the state?

Comment by Sigh Wednesday, Dec 21, 16 @ 11:37 pm
IDOC has a long history of not paying water bills in a timely fashion, that predates this budget crisis. Its been an ongoing problem in Taylorville for 6 years.

http://taylorville.interactivemediapartners.net/news/details.cfm?clientid=21&id=24310#.WFt2vfkrKyI

http://www.taylorville.net/attachments/article/205/May%2010,%202012.pdf

http://taylorville.interactivemediapartners.net/news/details.cfm?clientid=21&id=24310#.WFt2vfkrKyI

http://newschannel20.com/news/local/late-payment-frustrations-in-taylorville-due-to-budget-impasse

Comment by Southside Markie Thursday, Dec 22, 16 @ 12:58 am
16 republicans pick up the battle flag that munger dropped, full seed ahead with unconstitutionally

Comment by Rabid Thursday, Dec 22, 16 @ 8:48 am