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* Oy…

Been in accident with a state-owned vehicle and not at fault? Waiting for the state to pony up?

Keep waiting.

The state, which is self-insured, has about 200 claims worth about $560,000 on hold, said Meredith Krantz, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Central Management Services.

Those claims, filed since July 1, aren’t being paid because there’s no state budget.

One Springfield lawyer said he found the situation “pathetic.”

“The way I take this: If a state employee runs into your car and damages a fender or a bumper or whatever, the state isn’t paying that now,” said attorney Jim Ackerman, whose work includes auto liability cases.

“And if they run over your mother and kill her, the state isn’t going to pay that for quite some time,” he said.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:26 am

Comments

This completely explains why Ole Slip and Sue has been so careful these 14 months…

No money to be made.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:29 am
Illinois is ready to expand government ! That’s progress for Illinois voters . There’s nothing the government can’t achieve if we roll up our sleeves.

Comment by Steve Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:41 am
Since July (8.5 months) state employees have had at least 200 auto accidents, in state owned vehicles, at which they/the state were at fault?
Like 5 per week?
Seems like a lot?
hmm what are they doing bumper cars?

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:44 am
–Illinois is ready to expand government ! That’s progress for Illinois voters . There’s nothing the government can’t achieve if we roll up our sleeves.–

What can that possibly mean in this context?

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:52 am
You didn’t know state owns bumper cars? /s

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 11:59 am
And let’s not forget the State Prompt Payment Act (30 ILCS 540) which provides one very important thing that we know Bruce understands: Interest!

Comment by StopDiggin Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 12:07 pm
I don’t have my budgets done for 2016 so maybe I should tell the state that I can’t pay my taxes (without penalties) till I can get everyone in my household to agree. Yup, just can’t get it done this year–too bad.

Comment by Ms. SHEESH Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 12:11 pm
Hate to burst your bubble but state vehicles ARE NOT getting repaired either (at least for some agencies). NO budget means no money to PAY for repairs and many body shops are saying NO….

Comment by Silent Majority Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 12:32 pm
Cracked windshields cannot be repaired either (no willing vendors) so employees must drive unsafe vehicles and risk moving violations.

Comment by 332bill Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 12:43 pm
Illinois:not as broke as Puerto Rico, but close.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 12:59 pm
Insurance-related, but a different kind… 13+ months out and I’m still waiting to get reimbursed for my wife’s root canal as part of my employee dental benefits.

The dentist requires payment up-front and we’re required to submit the claim. But the state isn’t paying, so we’re hurting in the meantime.

U of I warned employees recently that this could happen with regular medical as well. How many people aren’t taking advantage of preventive medicine because they can’t afford the up-front costs? What will this cost the state later?

Comment by Stuff Happens Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 1:04 pm
Way to go! This is running the state like a business for you!

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 1:54 pm
I was driving on the Eisenhower last week and was caught behind a pick up truck spewing exhaust. After the truck exited I saw it was an IDOT truck. No money for maintenance? Are state vehicles exempt from air quality testing?

Comment by Just Lurking Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 2:28 pm
Stuff Happens, exactly. How many state employees are skipping health maintenance appointments, and how expensive is it in the long run as the diseases and conditions that were not caught early when they could be managed or cured develop into major and expensive physical and mental health crises?

Comment by RIJ Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 2:55 pm
just to add insult to injury…. the state self insurance money comes from the Road fund, which has lots and lots of cash. So plenty of money to pay, its a special fund so no Grf impact…. this is just the gov burning down the house….

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 3:03 pm
If that happens, sue the driver individually. Let his/her insurance policy pay.

Comment by Formerpol Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 3:25 pm
==If that happens, sue the driver individually.==

You’re such a great guy.

Besides, I’m pretty sure state employees are protected. The state is the entity responsible, not the individual.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 3:39 pm
State Police should impound all State cars for being uninsured. Not sure what the Troopers could drive.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 3:46 pm
Moral of this story: If you see a U plate coming, best to hug the edge line.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Mar 16, 16 @ 3:56 pm