Illinois’ struggling social-service agencies lost another round in court Thursday.
An appellate panel in Chicago says Illinois does not have to pay unless the state has a real budget.
A three-judge panel unanimously rejected all of the human service providers' claims.
They tried to say Gov. Bruce Rauner exceeded his authority by signing contracts for their work — and then turning around and vetoing money out of the budget to pay them.
But the court rejected that, saying the way the governor and General Assembly have been handling budget bills is within their constitutional rights.
The coalition says it’s disappointed, and urged social service agencies to think carefully before signing contracts for the new fiscal year that begins July 1.
They still have another, similar case pending Downstate — and could appeal the Chicago loss up to the Illinois Supreme Court.